Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, March 31

The Speaker of Legislative Assembly on Tuesday urged authorities to reconsider recent decisions to scale back security for elected officials, warning that such moves could expose lawmakers to risk in a region with a history of political violence.

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said in the Assembly that the withdrawal of security from some legislators and party offices was a matter of “serious concern” and should not be handled casually.

His remarks came amid growing unease among lawmakers over changes to security arrangements, particularly in the wake of what he described as an assassination attempt on former chief minister Farooq Abdullah. 

Calling the timing “unfortunate,” Rather said past incidents should inform present decisions.

“We must remain vigilant,” he told the House, adding that security provisions should be guided by established national protocols and threat assessments rather than arbitrary decisions.

India maintains a tiered system for providing protection to public figures based on perceived risk. 

Rather said any changes to those arrangements should be reviewed carefully, especially in cases where there is a credible threat.

“The message of this House is clear,” he said. “Where there is genuine apprehension, security must be ensured.”

The issue has been debated in the Assembly for several days, with members across party lines pressing for intervention. Among those who spoke were Hasnain Masoodi, Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi, Nizamuddin Bhat, Surjit Singh Slathia, Salman Sagar, Sajad Gani Lone, Javed Hassan Beg and Rafiq Ahmad Naik.

Lawmakers called for an immediate review of the policy, arguing that reductions in security could have unintended consequences in a region where political figures have historically been targets.

Rather said the concerns raised in the Assembly should be treated with urgency, emphasising that the legislature’s views reflected broader anxieties about safety and stability.

“This is the supreme House,” he said. “Its concerns must be taken with the utmost seriousness.”