Srinagar: More sarpanchs and panchs have resigned in north Kashmir, where a sarpanch belonging to ruling National Conference (NC) was shot dead by suspected militants on Sunday night.
Official sources said more than 12 sarpanchs and panchs have resigned following the threat issued by some unidentified persons in Baramulla district during the past few days.
The killing of sarpanch Javid Ahmad Wani by gunmen outside his home at Kalantar Pattan in Baramulla last night has triggered panic among them again.
Sources said more sarpanchs and panchs have given advertisement in local newspapers that they are resigning from their posts in Baramulla district today.
A number of militant outfits have asked sarpanchs and panchs to resign or face consequences in the Kashmir valley. Hundreds of sarpanchs and panchs have resigned in the Valley due to constant militant threats since the panchayat polls were held here after three decades.
However, the authorities said only 500 have so far resigned. But their resignations have not been accepted. Last year in September, suspected militants shot dead a deputy Sarpanch Muhammad Shafi Teeli, in neighboring Nowpora Wagoora village.
Later, on September 10, another Sarpanch was killed in Pahallan area of north Kashmir. Soon after the killings, hundreds of panchs and sarpanchs announced their resignations through newspaper advertisements and in their local mosques.
The government have made it clear that it was not possible to provide individual guards to sarpanchs and panchs, however, it was decided to provide insurance cover to these public representatives besides intensifying patrolling by security forces and police personnel in areas where threat perception is more. (UNI)
