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They may clamour for independence and think the Indian state draconian, one that controls Kashmir through military might . But when it comes to availing of resources of that state for their personal security and convenience, separatist leaders in Kashmir are very much Indian subjects, that too chosen ones who feel they even have a right to its misuse.
Living in palatial houses in upmarket colonies, protected by security personnel armed with lethal weapons, driving around in bullet-proof cars with a red beacon flashing atop which they are not allowed to use, theirs is a life which seems at odds with the cause they espouse.
The offices they operate from are no camps that "freedom fighters" would identify with. Located in posh residential colonies of Srinagar city, these were purchased at throwaway prices-remember the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley-or have been taken on rent. Even the woman separatist group, Muslim Khawateen Markaz, works from a posh place like Raj Bagh.
Moderate or radical they may be, but as far as their offices are concerned, the Hurriyat factions have the same taste. The moderate function from a splendid house at Raj Bagh-sources say it was purchased for anything between Rs. 10 and 14 lakh. Its marketr price today is closed to Rs, 50 lakh-while Syed Ali Shah Geelani stokes his fundamentalist fire from a sprawling structure not very far away.
These leaders may hail from villages in north and south Kashmir, but today they are part of the urban elite, with residences in Sanatnagar, Hyderpora, Raj Bagh and Gojibagh in the capital, Syed Ali Shah Geelani's house at Peer Bagh on Indira Gandhi airport road is conspicuous even from a distance, as it his party Tehreek-e-Hurriyat's flag fluttering atop the structure, whose resemblance to the Pakistani flag is no coincidence. Shabir Shah of the Democratic Freedom Party, who migrated from Anantnag to Srinagar after the outbreak of militancy, had initially acquired two houses in the Rawalpora area-where high court judges, bureaucrats and top police officials live-selling one of them later.
The Jammu and Kashmir government had in 1988 banned the use of beacon lights on vehicles as also flags denoting affiliations except for ministers and the chief secretary. A ban was also imposed on air horns, besides tinted windows that allowed for less than 70% transparency. A senior traffic official admitted that the separatist leaders, as also government officials and legislators, had not taken the rules seriously, roaming in vehicles flashing the VIP insignia, red light, flag et al.
Then, the security. Almost all prominent separatists leaders, including Syed ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Abdul Gani Bhat, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Shabir Shah, Bilal Lone, Sajad Lone and Aga Syed Hussan have been classified under one or the other security category, necessitating state cover for them.
On being questioned about the drain of resources that it entails, Jammu and Kashmir minister of state for home Abdul Rahman Veeri, said: It is the responsibility of the government to provide security to the people in a welfare state like ours," This was done after the leaders' sought cover and its category depended on the threat perception in every individual case.
While Central Reserve police Force personnel guard the two residential houses of the Lone brothers at Sanatangar, the houses of all other secessionist leaders are guarded by personnel of the Kashmir police.
That is not all the security they
get Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Bilal Lone, Sajad Lone and Mirwaiz Umar,
who are placed in Z-plus security, also travel in bullet-proof white
ambassadors provided by the government, said police sources. Mirwaiz
Moulvi Umar Farooq, chairman of the moderate Hurriyat Conference,
is shadowed by a Gypsy both in the front and rear when he travels,
carrying 10 policemen. His residence near the Hazratbal shrine is
fortified by a platoon (24men) of policemen, who ensure that even
journalists keep away from him.
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