20 panchayat members resign in J-K citing threat to life

In the wake of the fresh militant attacks on Panchayat members in Jammu and Kashmir, around 20 panches and sarpanches of the Baramulla district today tendered their resignations here citing "threats to their lives".

The panches and sarpanches from Hardshiva A and B and Yemberzalwari halqas of Sopore area in the district announced their resignations in the presence of the media here.

"We fear for our lives...and are therefore resigning," said Manzoor Ahmad Rather, a sarpanch from Hardshiva Sopore.

He said the fresh attacks on Panchayat members in Sopore have created a sense of fear among the members who are now opting for resignations, and have accused the government of not taking adequate measures to protect them.

Suspected militants on Friday shot dead a sarpanch, Habibullah Mir at Goripora village in Sopore town, 52 kms from here, while a woman panchayat member Zoonaa Begum was shot and injured inside her house at Hardshiva Sopore last night.

Panchayat members in Kashmir have been demanding security from the state government since last year after such similar incidents.