KL Report
Srinagar
Terming the hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru as the worst setback for the panchayat intuitions in the state, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference president Shafiq Mir said, “The hanging of Afzal guru has sent a wrong message in the valley which has made the circumstance unfavourable and tough for Panchs and Sarpanchs.”
Holding state government and the Chief Minister directly responsible for the present condition of Panchs and Sarpanchs Mir said, “Right from the beginning government made hollow promises to us whether it is regarding empowerment or security. On ground nothing has been done for us till now. Jammu and Kashmir government does not want to give any powers to anybody. They in reality don’t want the Panchayat system to exist at all”, Mir told a local news agency, KNS on Sunday.
“Members of political parties have all the security and it is easy for them to talk in their tight security zones. Even the nephews of politicians have been provided security though we had several times communicated to the chief minister and even the governor but we were left unheard”, he added.
Shafiq Mir said the recent resignations of panchayat members in Shopian indicate every possibility that the trend may spread across the valley. “I have myself received many calls from many Panchs and Sarpanchs and I am afraid if nothing is done the whole Panchayat system would crumble down”, Mir said.
“Hundreds of Panchs living in sensitive areas have taken refuge in Jammu as the situation has become threatening for them”, he told KNS.
When contacted, Com Secretary Home Suresh Kumar said no such thing has been officially reported and there is no visible threat. “Still the practice of night patrolling is being carried out jointly by Army police and CRPF. If someone has himself gone to Jammu we can do nothing in that”, he added.
Meanwhile IGP Kashmir said, “Afzal’s hanging has not created any new threat which would compel the Panchs or Sarpanchs to leave the valley. If someone has any threat perception he can come to us as we are ready to address his problem.”
