Srinagar, Oct 10: The government Wednesday said it will provide security to Sarpanchs and Panchs at the individual level after reviewing the threat perception and that the areas identified as vulnerable have already been sanitized.
The issue was raised by PDP legislator Syed Basharat Bukhari through a Calling Attention Notice. Bukhari demanded that areas like Sangrama, Sopore and Pattan (in district Baramulla) be declared vulnerable on priority and security be provided to Sarpanchs and Panchs at the individual level in these areas.
In reply, Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, said the government can provide security to the Sarpanchs and Panchs individually after reviewing the threat perception. “Wherever we will feel that there is a need of providing security cover to any Sarpanch or a Panch, we will,” he said.
There are 29,719 Panchs and 4128 Sarpanchs in the State. Wani said the killing of three Panchayat members, two Sarpanchs and a Panch, in Kashmir was a matter of serious concern. “Five Sarpanchs and Panchs have also been injured. The cases have been registered in the respective police stations. These killings reflect desperation of the anti-national elements to derail the prevailing peace in the State,” the MoS Home said.
He said the government has already taken a series of steps to prevent further attacks on the Sarpanchs and Panchs. “We have taken many steps like vulnerable areas in the State will be sanitized. Proper security assessment of Panchayat members will be worked out to provide them security cover,” Wani said. “Intelligence inputs will be shared by the security agencies on daily basis. The army will intensify night patrolling and area domination in the vulnerable areas.”
The Minister said the government is also working to instill confidence among the Panchayat representatives.

LA ADJOURNED SINE-DIE
THE 10-day autumn session of the Legislative Assembly came to an end Wednesday as Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone adjourned the House sine die.

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