More than 50 J&K panchs quit

More than 50 J&K panchs quit

M Saleem Pandit TNN 

Srinagar:More than 50 Jammu & Kashmir panchs and sarpanchs resigned on Monday following death threats from militant groups. They made their resignation public through advertisements in local newspapers after Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin’s warning that they would have to face dire consequences if they did not. 
    While condemning the death threats, Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah downplayed the issue. “We never said we will provide security to each and every panch and sarpanch. We had said that whenever there is a threat assessment and we feel that there is need to do more, we will do that,” he said. 
    Reacting to the state government’s non-committal response to jihadi threats, the All Jammu & Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) said it would launch an agitation. They said they would go on a dharna at the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi if the Omar government did not address their demands. 
    “We want the government to provide monthly wages and security to panchayat members,” Ghulam Hassan Punzoo, the AJKPC spokesperson said. “We are not demanding security for all members but only for those who need it. Security shall be based on threat perception,” he added. 
    At the same time, the panchayat body refused to give in to militant demands. “We will not succumb to any diktat. We are neither affiliated to any political party nor have any political agenda. We are serving the people at the grassroots,” Punzoo said. 
    He appealed to all panches and sarpanches not to resign and continue to strengthen democracy at the grassroots. Punzoo said they would continue to serve the people and work for democratic principles without any political motives.