Srinagar, April 17 -- Governor Satypal Malik on Wednesday said that decision to downgrade and withdraw the security of separatist leaders and some mainstream leaders and activists in February this year was taken in his "absence" even as he announced to order crime branch probe into illegal occupation of state land, both in Jammu and Kashmir, under Roshni Act. He also announced to give "90%" state land still vacant in the Jammu to army, police and other organizations.

"I'm ashamed to inform you that in Jammu and Kashmir, from one table to another, a file takes several months to move. I was in New Delhi recently, a day earlier security of certain persons had been withdrawn in my absence and the move was good because some persons were getti...