But the observation doesn’t seem to have had any effect on politicians in Jammu and Kashmir, a state where fear has become an integral part of daily life.
In Jammu and Kashmir, 46% of the central forces provide security to politicians and their homes
SRINAGAR: The apex court had recently observed that politicians who are scared to move in the open without security should remain in their homes.
But the observation doesn’t seem to have had any effect on politicians in Jammu and Kashmir, a state where fear has become an integral part of daily life.
But central forces, meant to be on guard in operational areas, are busy guarding the state’s politicians and not the common man. A staggering 46% of the central forces deployed in the state have been engaged to guard politicians and their homes, a breach of protocol according to the ministry of home affairs (MHA).
There are 72,000 central forces personnel deputed in the militancy-affected state and most of them are guarding a total of 111 buildings of politicians, bureaucrats and police officials.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the centre is also paying huge sums of money as rent to these politicians as the central forces are deployed at their homes on their request.
Sources in the security agencies said that though several letters have been written to the state government and the MHA informing them about the lack of adequate force in operational areas, nothing has changed.
“Every time we raise the issue in the security meeting, nothing is done about it because of political pressure. These politicians ask us to protect their homes and in return take rent from the centre,” said a senior official involved in anti-terror operations. He added that the practice has been going on for the past 20 years.
“What is appalling is that these politicians often do not stay in these heavily-guarded houses. Instead, they stay at high-security zones in Srinagar. The men are simply being wasted,” added the official.
Senior officials also said that amongst those taking services of central forces are politicians from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the National Conference.
v_gyan@dnaindia.net 
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