Srinagar: After three back-to-back target killings against Sarpanchs (Panchayat members) by suspected militants in the first 10 days of March, IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Saturday said that Sarpanchs and Panchs who are facing threats from militants have been provided safe accommodations in Srinagar and other district headquarters.
IGP advised all Sarpanchs and Panchs to inform local police before leaving the protected places.
He urged police officers to strengthen the general security grid and ensure great synergy with agencies working on ground and focus more on enhancing anti-militancy operations and reduce new recruitment into militancy ranks.
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“(Militants) on the directions of their handlers across the border, are trying to misuse religious places to create law & order situation, but we are alert and shall be foiling their nefarious designs,” he said.
The top police officer of the Valley along with DIG police and DIG CRPF Anantnag met DC Kulgam, SSP Kulgam, all COs of CRPF in Kulgam and other police officers.
He asked officers to keep strict vigil on “militant associates” OGWs (Over ground Workers who provide support to militants) and take all necessary measures against them under law.
Reportedly, on Friday evening militants shot dead a Sarpanch Shabir Ahmad Mir at Audoora area of Kulgam. Police said Shabir Ahmad Mir was given accomodation at a secured hotel in Kashmir’s Srinagar but he went to his Kulgam house without informing the police.
He was initially identified as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but this was denied by the party.
On March 2, a Panchat Ghar was gutted in a mysterious fire at Damhal Hanjipora area of the district.
On Wednesday evening (9th March) a sarpanch, Sameer Ahmad Bhat was killed by militants inside his house at Khanmoh, Srinagar.
On 2nd March, suspected militants again shot again another independent panchayat member, Mohammad Yaqun Dar from Kulgam at his village.
Panchayati Raj is the oldest system of local government in the Indian subcontinent. However, it was only in 1992 that it was officially established by the Indian Constitution as the third level of India’s federal democracy through the 73rd Amendment Act.
