The Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary has sought an urgent review of his security arrangements, raising serious concerns over the non-availability of a bullet-resistant vehicle, a jammer and other key components of the official motorcade.
In a communication addressed to the Senior Superintendent of Police (Security), the Deputy Chief Minister’s office stated that a bullet-resistant Toyota Fortuner had been requested for inclusion in the motorcade during the Deputy CM’s scheduled visit to the border constituency of Nowshera on 15 March. However, despite the request being made through an official tour programme dated 13 March, the vehicle was not provided.
The request, the letter noted, was made in view of the prevailing security situation and a recent firing incident targeting Farooq Abdullah, a Z+ NSG protectee, at Royal Park in Greater Kailash, Jammu. The Deputy Chief Minister was present at the location and in close proximity to the senior leader during the incident, heightening security concerns.
The communication also highlighted that the jammer vehicle in the Deputy CM’s motorcade has remained withdrawn for nearly six months on the “pretext” of repairs and has yet to be restored. In addition, the bulletproof vehicle, pilot vehicle, and scout vehicles currently deployed were described as mechanically unreliable, with the letter claiming that their condition has led to serious and near-fatal incidents in the recent past.
Despite repeated requests from the Deputy CM’s office for reviewing the security arrangements and replacing the aging vehicles, the letter stated that no effective corrective action has been taken so far.
Given the sensitive security environment in Jammu and Kashmir and the Deputy Chief Minister’s frequent visits to far-flung and vulnerable areas, the office warned that movement without a complete and reliable security cover poses a significant risk.
The Deputy Chief Minister has also reportedly expressed displeasure over the non-serious manner in which earlier requests were handled.
The letter has once again urged authorities to immediately review and restore the complete security arrangement, including replacing old vehicles and inducting a bullet-resistant Fortuner into the Deputy Chief Minister’s motorcade for movements both within and outside the Union Territory.
Copy of the letter has also been sent to the office of the Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha who directly controls the security set up and police in the union territory.
It is worth mentioning that Chaudhary had won the Assembly election from the border constituency of Nowshera in the Rajouri district.