MHA refuses to comment on Mirwaiz's security downgrade

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday refrained from commenting on downgrading of security of separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

MHA spokesperson Ashok Prasad said that the security given to individuals is decided by the State Government and thus, their ministry has no say in it.

"As far as security of individuals is concerned, the Jammu and Kashmir Government takes care of it and reviews it. The threat assessment is done by their agencies only. After review, they recalibrate it. So, the MHA does not need to comment on it, because it does not come in our circumference," Prasad told ANI.

Earlier today, the Jammu and Kashmir Government decided to downgrade security of Farooq.

This comes in the backdrop of police probing Farooq's role in the killing of Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Ayub Pandith.

Pandith, a resident of Nowpora Khanyar, Srinagar, who was on access control duty at the Jamia Masjid in the Nowhatta area of Jammu and Kashmir, was lynched to death by an unlawful assembly of people.

In this regard, a case under section 302 RPC was registered and investigation was taken up. To speed up the investigation process, a special investigating team was also constituted.

The police also arrested five persons in connection with the lynching of Pandith.

To nab all the criminals involved in the incident, the head of the special investigating team (SIT) has requested that if anyone having any knowledge or clue regarding the incident may please attend the office of SP, City North Srinagar or call on 0194-2453214, 9419140715 and 9596770664.

The name and particulars of the said person shall remain confidential.