Jammu, Mar 12 (UNI) All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference on Saturday has demanded a probe by National Investigation Agency into the killings of two Sarpanches and one Panch over last seven days in terrorist attacks in the state.
Anil Sharma, President of the organization in a communique has stated that during the period between 2011 to 2022, Jammu and Kashmir have lost over two dozen Panchayat members including Panches, Sarpanches and Block Development Chairpersons due to terrorist attack on them and it is unfortunate that till date not even a single terrorist responsible for these killings has been arrested or neutralized.
He said, the grass root level democracy workers in Jammu and Kashmir are being assassinated in broad day light yet no person responsible for their killing is even arrested, which is painful and shocking.
The AJKPC president said the family members of elected PRI members are worried over these killings and even compelling the elected members to resign from the post fearing risk to their lives and so far AJKPC has been successful in convincing them to trust the security apparatus and administration but the government has to show sincerity and maturing in this sensitive issue.
“We urge the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Union Home secretary to order NIA probe in all the killings of PRI members right from 2011 to 2022 and bring the culprits before the law,” said Sharma and also demanded immediate release of ex-gratia amount of Rs 25 lakh for family of every deceased PRI members and also one government job for the next kin of his family.
He also informed that AJKPC had made several representations to the J&K Home department for providing security to the PRI members but these important files related to security move from one department to another and from one officer to another due to insensitivity of the concerned officers who do not consider the lives of elected Panchayat members worth it.
AJKPC also warned all such officers of Jammu and Kashmir administration to remain careful and prompt in dealing with files and cases of providing security to deserving Panches and Sarpanches else get ready to face protest demonstration in their offices as well outside the houses of these officers.
