PDP panchayat member's death prompts 7 resignations

Following the killing of a colleague by unidentified militants on Thursday evening, at least seven panchayat members resigned in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

Forty five-year-old Mohammad Amin Pandith, a sarpanch from opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was shot dead outside his residence in Gulzarpora, Pulwama, 35 kms from here.
Sources said the seven panchayat members associated with Peoples Democratic Party  have announced their resignation at their local masjids after Friday congregational prayers. They had also put up posters in their respective areas regarding their quitting.

In the last two years, hundreds of Panchayat members resigned after being attacked personally or witnessing attacks on members by the militants.

Meanwhile, reports said posters of Hizbul Mujahideen militant outfit appeared in several areas of Pulwama district urging people to stay away from elections.

The hand written posters asked the people not to fall in the trap of pro-India parties like Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party, reports added.