Srinagar, March 31 : Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference chairman and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the National Conference (NC), accusing it of “weaponising security” and creating a sense of entitlement among those in power.
Reacting to remarks linked to the deputy chief minister over government accommodation and security, MLA Handwara speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said official residences were not personal property and leaders often develop a “delusion” while in office.
“This bungalow is neither someone’s personal property nor inherited asset. When people are in power, they think everything belongs to them. Once they leave, they realise they have nothing,” he said.
MLA Lone, whose father was assassinated, said he was entitled to a certain level of security and would vacate any accommodation provided to him as per his security category without delay. “If the government allots me a house as per my security, I will leave it the next day. I have no interest in staying there,” he added.
The PC leader alleged that security arrangements had historically been misused for political purposes. “If anyone has weaponised security, it is the National Conference. Thousands of people are denied police clearance certificates. Systems like OGL were used selectively,” he claimed.
He said many individuals were either denied security or removed from protection despite threats. “There are thousands like me who either did not join politics or were killed because they were not given security,” MLA Handwara said.
Targeting the ruling establishment, MLA Lone said raising concerns about security should not be politicised. “Security is important for everyone. It should not be used as a tool,” he said, urging the government to review existing mechanisms.
He also accused political opponents of selectively highlighting attacks while ignoring past incidents. “When something happens to them, they raise noise from Delhi to here, but they don’t talk about those who died earlier,” he said.
MLA Handwara further alleged that the present discourse was undermining institutions. “Such statements bring disrepute to the chair,” he added.
The remarks come amid an ongoing political exchange between opposition leaders and the ruling NC over issues of security and government accommodation in Jammu and Kashmir.(KNS)
