Miffed Baig wants security cover lifted

Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig who was among the injured in the Uri grenade blast two days ago on Saturday asked the authorities to lift his security cover apparently as a protest against downgrading his security.

"I would request the security cover provided to me should be lifted so that I can move around like an ordinary citizen," Baig said in a communication with the chief secretary.

"In that event the potential militant may feel some qualm of conscience before targetting me," the minister said in the communication, copies of which were forwarded to the state Director General of Police and Financial Commissioner (Home).

Baig said his security was upgraded to 'Z plus' category last year after his name figured in the hit list of militants. "Ironically, thereafter I was provided the security given to a legislator."

The bulletproof car allotted to me usually breaks down during my journeys, he alleged.