Srinagar, Dec 2 (TIWN) In Jammu and Kashmir having an armed security guard has become more of a status symbol than an actual necessity to protect someone.

“There is a list of categorised persons whose threat appraisals are reviewed from time to time. Providing security based on threat perception is an essential aspect of the security system.

“But, we often get demands from persons not otherwise categorised for providing armed security guards,” said a senior officer connected with providing security to protected persons.

Over the years, moving around with an armed security guard provided by the government has become a status symbol in J&K.

From hotel owners to spice manufacturers, everybody is in hot pursuit to get armed security from the government.

Not many of the protected persons are provided with bullet proof vehicles and in any case, moving around with armed guards in non-bullet proof vehicles and carrying armed guards along while shopping inside malls or attending social functions is fraught with inherent risks.

“Such behaviour by protected persons not only endangers their personal safety but also exposes our boys to avoidable risks.

“Moving around in vehicles not meant for security purposes entails inherent risk to the occupants. You are a moving target for anyone to take a potshot,” said another officer connected with security.

It is very strange that in order to show off their so-called protected status, the newfound crop of protected persons do all sorts of pranks to attract public attention.

They keep the guards outside shops, at entrances of other public places or at the receptions of social functions and move around with swagger that does not show even an iota of concern for personal safety or that of the guards they carry along.