Panch killing effect: 40 panchayat members resign

, Sept 25: At least 40 panchayat members have tendered their resignations fearing for their life after the killing of a panch in north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Sunday.

Forty panches, including three sarpanches, have submitted their resignations to the government in Baramulla district alone and reports suggest many more are in the offing.

"We have so far received the resignations of 40 panches, which includes three sarpanches from the district," DC, Baramullah, Khwaja Ghulam Ahmad said.

"Though there are reports in the media that many more have resigned, only 40 resignations have been received by the administration so far," he added.

A local Urdu daily here reported today of having received 53 resignations for publications.

Officials in the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department, however, have said resignations announced before media or in mosques will not be considered and the panches will have to follow a proper procedure if they want to quit.

On Sunday, militants shot dead a panch in Kreeri area of Baramulla district.

Mohammad Shafi Teli was shot in the chest outside his house at Nowpora village in Kreeri area, 35 kms from here, around 8.15 PM.

The 38-year-old was shifted to sub-district hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the killing.

Militants have killed several panchs and sarpanchs since the landmark panchayat polls were held in the state last year after a gap of 30 years.

Posters have surfaced in many areas of Kashmir since early this year, asking the panchs and sarpanchs to resign from their posts or face dire consequences.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he would discuss the issue of providing security to panchayat members in the next meeting of Unified Headquarters to ensure their safety.

PTI