Srinagar: The Centre has enhanced the security cover for Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) now tasked with ensuring his safety due to elevated threat perceptions.
While CRPF officials have declined to comment, sources familiar with the matter confirmed that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decided to upgrade Mirwaiz’s security following increased risks, particularly after his visit to Delhi last month, reported The Tribune.
Notably, Mirwaiz was permitted to lead the Friday congregational prayers this week at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid, where he was reportedly seen under tight security, including CRPF personnel.
During this visit, Mirwaiz interacted with migrant Kashmiri Pandits and also appeared before a Joint Parliamentary Panel on the Waqf Amendment Bill. Mirwaiz also announced the formation of an inter-community committee to facilitate the safe return of Kashmiri Pandits, promote economic development, and preserve Kashmir’s composite cultural heritage.
His recent trip to the national capital marked his first visit since the removal of the region’s special status.
His visit to Delhi elicited strong reactions from various political factions, which led to the decision to provide him with upgraded security.
Mirwaiz was among 18 separatist leaders whose security cover was withdrawn or downgraded by the government in February 2019 on the premise that it was a wastage of the erstwhile state’s otherwise scarce resources.
A spokesman of the J&K home department had then said, “It was felt that providing security to these separatist leaders is a wastage of scarce state resources which could be better utilised elsewhere”.
