Sheikh Hilal
SHOPIAN
After the killing of two Sarpanchs, Lambardar and a 24 year old son of a Sarpanch in South Kashmir, police on Tuesday asked all the Sarpanchs and Panchs to report in their nearest police stations.
“The step has been taken after another Sarpanch was attacked Monday late evening in Kakapora area of district Pulwama,” a police official wishing anonymity told Kashmir Life.
Sources said that Bashir Ahmad Malik, a Congress Sarpanch, was fired upon by unidentified gunmen late evening outside his residence at Hakarpora, Kakapora in district Pulwama.
“I was in my courtyard when two people called me by my name, I was scared as I could not identify my callers in the darkness so I did not respond and ran towards my house,” Malik told Kashmir Life adding, “The unidentified gunmen fired a bullet towards me but thanks to Almighty it did not hit me and I escaped unhurt.”
Malik added that later police came and recovered the bullet shell fired upon him. “I was shifted to Police Choki Kakapora, where many Panchs and Sarpanchs have now been brought,” Malik said. He added that Police has advised all the Panchayati Raj representatives to be in their nearest police stations till the elections are over.
Sources said that Police has asked all the Panchs and Sarpanchs of district Pulwama and Shopian, to report their nearest police stations and Chokies to ensure their security.
They added that a number of Sarpanchs have already reported to Police station Pulwama. Sources said that many Sarpanchs hailing from district Shopian have been shifted to army camp situated at Balepora.
Lok Sabha election for South Kashmir seat is scheduled on April 24. Authorities have beefed up security arrangements especially after the latest attacks on Sarpanchs and Panchs.
