New Delhi: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday, January 12, said that “serious security lapses” were allegedly responsible for the road accident in which the party president and former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, had a narrow escape a day earlier.
The party has demanded a “thorough investigation” into the purported lapses allegedly leading to the accident in south Kashmir on January 11 (Thursday), while demanding “reevaluation and reinforcement” of security measures for all the Kashmir-based political leaders.
In a statement, PDP general secretary Mehboob Beg alleged that the administration had made “inadequate” arrangements when Mehbooba, who has a Z+ security cover, was on her way from Srinagar to south Kashmir.
At least 13 families were rendered homeless when a fire broke out in the Boat Colony area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. A PDP spokesperson said that Mehbooba was scheduled to meet the victims of the tragedy on Thursday, when the accident took place.
“The accident points towards the lack of detailed drill for a Z+ protected person travelling on a highway which remains busy and has a history of targeted attacks,” Beg said in a statement. He added, “Any compromise in security measures is a matter of grave concern.”
While Mehbooba survived the accident without injuries, her personal security officer and the driver of the SUV car, a black Mahindra Scorpio, which collided with a private car near the Sangam area of south Kashmir, suffered injuries. Both the victims are out of danger.
This story was originally published in thewire.in. Read the full story here .