The office of the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir has sought an urgent review of his security arrangements, raising concerns over the non-availability of a bullet-resistant vehicle and the condition of other vehicles in the official motorcade.
According to an official communication addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police (Security), a bullet-resistant Toyota Fortuner had been requested for inclusion in the Deputy Chief Minister’s motorcade for his scheduled visit to the border constituency of Nowshera on March 15. However, the vehicle was not provided despite the request being made through an official tour programme dated March 13.
The request was made in view of the prevailing security situation and the recent firing incident involving senior National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, a Z+ NSG protectee, at Royal Park in Greater Kailash, Jammu. The letter noted that the Deputy Chief Minister was present at the venue and in close proximity to the veteran leader during the incident.
The communication also highlighted that the jammer vehicle in the Deputy Chief Minister’s motorcade has remained withdrawn for nearly six months on the pretext of repairs and has not been restored so far. It further pointed out that the bulletproof vehicle, pilot vehicle and scout vehicles currently deployed are mechanically unreliable, with officials warning that their condition has led to serious and near-fatal incidents in the recent past.
Despite repeated requests from the Deputy Chief Minister’s office to review the security arrangements and replace the aging vehicles, the letter stated that no effective corrective action has been taken.
Given the prevailing security scenario in the Union Territory and the Deputy Chief Minister’s frequent visits to far-flung and sensitive areas, the office warned that movement without complete and reliable security cover poses a significant risk.
The Deputy Chief Minister has also expressed displeasure over the non-serious manner in which earlier requests from his office were handled.
The letter has once again urged authorities to immediately review and restore the complete security arrangements, including replacement of old vehicles with new ones and the inclusion of a bullet-resistant Fortuner in the Deputy Chief Minister’s motorcade for movements both within and outside the Union Territory.