Jammu and Kashmir L-G promises best security to panchayat members

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 12

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday asked panchayat members in Kashmir to take care of their safety and also promised best possible security arrangements.

The Lieutenant-Governor said this at a time when there has been a rise in attacks on panches and sarpanches in the Valley, which has forced the authorities to shift many of them to safe locations in the tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Pahalgam. In the last week, there were three militant attacks on BJP leaders. The attacks followed the killings of former BJP district president Bandipora, Wasim Bari and his father Bashir Ahmad and brother Umar Bari last month.

“All arrangements (for security) have been made and they have also been reviewed. Whatever best arrangements are possible, I want to assure you that will be done,” Manoj Sinha said this at a function in Srinagar which was held to honour sarpanches and panches of Jammu and Kashmir for their good work in respective areas.

“But at the same time, we will have to be cautious and take precautions. These precautions will not be made public, but you will get to know all such measures,” he said. The Lieutenant-Governor said the administration would create a better atmosphere to ensure a peaceful and dignified life for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We will ensure Jammu and Kashmir’s development without any disparity. This is what Prime Minister Narendera Modi is committed to,” he said.