The Z security status of Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq is likely to be enhanced to Z plus in the wake of the increasing threat perception on his life.
Sources said authorities have decided to upgrade Mirwaiz’s security to the highest level after receiving inputs about threat to his life.
“There are intelligence inputs from central and state agencies that Mirwaiz might be under life threat following which authorities have decided to upgrade his security from Z to Z plus,” they said.Sources said central agencies interrupted some calls in the month of May this year in which the name of Mirwaiz along with some of his associates was mentioned.
“It was on the directions of Home Ministry that state administration intervened and visited the house of Mirwaiz in July to take stock of his security. They also visited the residence of other leaders who are currently under security cover,” sources said.
Apart from Mirwaiz, other leaders of Hurriyat (M) who have been provided security by authorities includes Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Abbas Ansari, Bilal Lone, Fazal Haq Qureshi and Shahid-ul-Islam.
Mirwaiz’s father Moulvi Muhammad Farooq and Bilal’s father Abdul Gani Lone were assassinated while Bhat lost his brother. The other leaders have also escaped assassination attempts in the past.
Additional Director General of Police (Security) J&K, V K Singh said even though they have got the information about the life threat to Mirwaiz but they are yet to provide Z plus security to the separatist leader.
“There was a meeting conducted with the security coordination committee but the results have not been declared yet,” Singh said, adding that the final decision would be taken soon.
However, sources said SSP Security and SP anti-hijacking have already received the copy of the orders to implement Z plus security for Mirwaiz. A copy of the order has also been sent to Mirwaiz’s secretary that is yet to be received.
Mirwaiz is the only separatist who would be having the highest level of security in the valley apart from mainstream politicians.
In the mainstream camp, Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, Peoples Democratic Party president and Member of Parliament, Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister and MLA Beerwah Omar Abdullah and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah come under the Z plus security category.
Hurriyat (M) spokesman, Shahid-ul-Islam said last month IG Security and SSP Security visited Mirwaiz’s Nigeen residence to review his security arrangements.
“There were some reports which indicated threat to his life so authorities did a survey to increase the security,” Shahid said, adding police also took stock of security measures of other Hurriyat (M) leaders.
Depending on the threat perception to the person, security is divided into four categories: Z+ (highest level), Z, Y and X. The Z plus Security is given by the National Security Guard commandos. They are armed with sophisticated MP5 guns and modern communication gadgets and each member of the team are adept in martial arts and unarmed combat skills.
