LeT threat to Panchayat members

By
Daily Excelsior
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Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 19:  Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit has asked the Sarpanchs, Panchs and political workers of mainstream parties to resign from their posts immediately or face consequences.
The threat warning was issued by the LeT commander Nawab Gaznavi through posters that appeared in Habbakadal, Kharyar, Gowkadal and Basant Bagh area of Srinagar city this morning.
Warning Sarpanchs, Panchs and district presidents of political parties to resign from their posts or face dire consequences, the posters asked them to announce their resignation in local Masjids and through newspapers.
“People who support the Government and those who favour National Conference, People’s Democratic Party, Congress or BJP and intend to participate in electoral process are hereby strictly warned of dire consequences in case they continue to support or vote political parties,” read a handwritten posters of LeT.
Such posters have also appeared in parts of South Kashmir. But police said that they are verifying whether these posters are issued by militants or by vested interested people.
Panchs and Sarpanchs have become soft targets of militants since Panchayat elections were held two years ago.
Over 1000 Panchs and Sarpanchs resigned in South Kashmir districts of Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama and north Kashmir district of Baramulla last year after militants targeted over a dozen of Panchayat members and issued threats against them.
Before the targeting of these members, the militants had asked the members of the Panchayats to resign or face consequences.
After the threats and targeting of Panchayat members last year, the State Government in order to provide sense of security to these Panchayat members increased the patrolling by police and security forces in the areas that were thought to be vulnerable.
Over 35000 Panchs and Sarpanchs were elected two years ago to this grass root level democratic set up after a gap of over 34 years. The peaceful Panchayat elections were considered as a mile stone by the State Government.

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