SRINAGAR: The government has spent more than Rs 15 crore on providing security to separatist leaders in the State in the last 10 years. The cost includes that of guard, escort and personal security officers provided to the separatist leaders. The government revealed this right after they revoked the security of five separatist leaders.

According to statistics, Rs 1.27 crore was spent on the police escort attached with the separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in the last 10 years. The government also disclosed that Rs 5.06 crore was spent on guards for Mirwaiz. Mirwaiz lives in the Nageen area in downtown Srinagar and his residence is guarded by ten policemen.

The government further disclosed that Rs 2.34 crore was spent on security for separatist leader Abdul Gani Bhat. Six to eight policemen and six SPOs are attached with Prof Bhat since 2011. Bhat is an executive member of the Hurriyat Conference led by Mirwaiz. The government revealed that Rs 3.09 crore was spent on the guards and PSOs of senior Shia leader and separatist leader Molvi Abbas Ansari. The government spent Rs 1.65 crore on security for moderate separatist leader Bilal Gani Lone. For the security of Shia leader Aga Syed Hassan Mosavi, the government spent Rs 1.04 crore.

The government also disclosed that Rs 81.47 lakh was spent on security for Shahid ul Islam; Rs 47.95 lakh on Zaffar Akbar Bhat; Rs 34.70 lakh on Sali Gilani, Rs 25.21 lakh on Syed Abdul Hussain, Rs 22.10 lakh on Masroor Abbas Ansari, Rs 8.74 lakh on Abdul Gani Shah of Kishtwar and Rs 8.74 lakh on Farooq Ahmad Kichloo.