'Will move court on decision of withdrawing security'

A day after Jammu and Kashmir government downgraded and withdrew security of 18 separatist leaders and 155 political persons and activists in the state, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said that his party would move to court if the decision was not revisited.

Omar in a series of tweets questioned the step taken by the governor administration and asked him to reconsider it. “I would like to encourage @jandkgovernor to reconsider this step. If it is not revisited, we will approach the courts & ask them to intervene,” he tweeted.

“I have no doubt this step was taken without taking in to consideration inputs from central & state intelligence agencies which can only mean it’s been done for political purposes & there is an element of pick & choose at play here (sic),” he said.

The National Conference (NC)) vice president said the withdrawal of security to mainstream political workers and office bearers is a retrograde step that will only weaken political activity in the valley.

“Withdrawal of security to mainstream political workers & office bearers is a retrograde step that will only weaken political activity in the valley. This is regardless of the fact that no one from @JKNC_ has had their security withdrawn in yesterday’s list,” the former CM said in another tweet.

Late Wednesday evening, the state Home department in a statement said, “It was felt that providing security to these separatist leaders is wastage of scarce state resources which could be better utilised elsewhere.”

“In addition, the security of 155 political persons and activists, who did not require the security provided to them based on their threat assessment and their activities, was also withdrawn. This includes Shah Faesal, who resigned from the IAS and Wahid Parray (sic). Through this, over 1000 police personnel and over 100 vehicles are freed to do regular police work,” the spokesman said.