BJP leader killing in Anantnag not linked to withdrawal of security: Guv

However, Malik said he has directed Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam to get an inquiry conducted into the killings of political people belonging to various political parties in the state in the last few months.

“The slain leader (Gul Muhammad Mir) was a very senior party activist. And it is very unfortunate and state that he was killed, but linking it with security withdrawal is completely incorrect because he was never a categorised person. Neither was his security withdrawn… Rumours are being spread in this regard,” Mr Malik told reporters after taking the ceremonial salute and the traditional ‘Guard of Honour’ in the lawns of Civil Secretariat, which reopened in the summer capital, Srinagar, on Monday.

Mir was fired upon by gunmen at Nowgam Verinag in Anantnag on Saturday night.

“But, having said that, I have asked the Chief Secretary to initiate an inquiry to find out if any of the killings of political workers in the last few months was because of the withdrawal of security. The inquiry will identifying any lapses on the part of security agencies regarding ensuring security of political people,” he said.

The Governor said a meeting will be called in the next couple of days to review the finding of the inquiry and decide according about the security withdrawal decision.

“I have emphasised that from now onwards, not only all political leaders and workers, all citizens should be protected at every cost,” he added.

Answering a question about violence in south Kashmir during the last couple of days, the Governor said despite this, people have come out to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections.

The Governor said that the militants have resorted to target killing of political workers and leaders after they failed to disrupt Panchayat election in the state. “They (militants) tried to disrupt Panchayat elections in the state but failed. So that’s why they have resorted to target killings,” he added.