SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY 12: Advisor to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Nasir Aslam Wani, has strongly criticized the omission of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from a high-level security review meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Srinagar. Wani asserted that Abdullah’s extensive experience in handling law and order situations in the region would have been a crucial asset to the discussions.
Addressing reporters, Wani acknowledged the constitutional role of the Lieutenant Governor in overseeing security affairs but insisted that Abdullah’s participation could have enriched the dialogue. “We fully recognize that the Lieutenant Governor holds the primary responsibility for security matters. However, given Omar Abdullah’s vast experience in managing crises and ensuring stability in Jammu and Kashmir, he should have been invited to contribute his insights,” Wani remarked.
The high-level security review, held at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Kashmir, brought together top officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and other security agencies. The meeting focused on assessing the prevailing security scenario, reviewing recent incidents, and formulating strategies to tackle emerging challenges.
Wani’s remarks highlight the ongoing debate over the role of elected leadership in key security deliberations in Jammu and Kashmir. His comments also reflect broader concerns about the political marginalization of former chief ministers in crucial decision-making processes since the abrogation of Article 370.
With the region witnessing heightened security challenges, Wani emphasized the importance of collective leadership and political consultation in ensuring a stable and secure environment. The omission of a leader with Abdullah’s experience, he argued, was not just an oversight but a lost opportunity to enhance coordination and policy direction in the region’s security framework.