Sajad Lone criticises administration for removing security cover of senior politicians associated with PAC

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, JULY 06 (STC):
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPCC) President and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone, on Sunday strongly criticised the administration for what he called a “deliberate withdrawal” of security cover from senior politicians associated with the newly formed Political Alliance for Change (PAC). He revealed that former minister and senior political figure Hakeem Yaseen had his security scaled down by 80 percent.
“Hakeem Sahib survived a deadly attack in the 1990s. He was shot, and only God knows how he survived. That incident alone stands as proof that the one who protects is greater than the one who seeks to kill,” he said.
Lone also informed that the security of Sheikh Imran, a young leader of party, had also been reduced by a similar percentage.
“We are not here to beg for security. Nor are we here to complain. I just want to place it in the public domain that even security is now being politicised,” he told reporters.
He noted that although earlier governments too had shown bias—giving more security to ruling party members and less to the opposition—this is the first time such a swift and sharp cut had been observed. “This happened just three days after the alliance was announced. It is difficult not to connect the dots.”
He recalled the assassination of his father, late Abdul Gani Lone, as an example of how political leaders had long been left vulnerable for ideological reasons. “When my father was martyred in Eidgah, the then government had prior information that he might be attacked. But they decided not to act, thinking: ‘He’s a separatist—let him die.’ And they let him be killed,” he said.
Despite the threats and the apparent pressure, Lone reiterated the PAC’s commitment and unity.
“We met this morning—all three constituents of the alliance—and resolved to stay firm. The kind of reaction we are getting only confirms that we are on the right path,” he said.
“There’s a party in Kashmir whose entire foundation is built on the legacy of another organisation. They ruled for two decades, yet they still lack the confidence of having their own vote bank. They are now shocked that the people they once used for votes are daring to contest elections themselves and sit with them in the Assembly,” Lone said as he didn’t name the party.
Taking a dig at the same local political party, he said that on one hand, they talk of dialogue with Pakistan, while on the other, all know who is pulling the trigger from behind the scenes. “We know which ‘uncle’ is involved. No matter what they do, we will move forward with conviction,” he said.
(STC)