Srinagar: Against the backdrop of recent attacks on panchayat members, a crucial meeting of Unified Headquarters chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be held today during which comprehensive steps to provide security to panches and sarpanches will be discussed.
The meeting, which will be attended by top Police, Army, para military personnel and officials from central security agencies, comes close on the heels of Omar Abdullah's assurance that his government will make every effort to ensure the security of panches and sarpanches.
Several panches and sarpanches have sent in their resignations apprehending threats to their lives in the wake of the killing of panchayat member Mohammed Shafi Teli at Kreeri in Pattan area of North Kashmir on September 23.
Besides Teli, two other panchayat members targeted by terrorists were Ghulam Nabi Yatto on September 10 in Palhallan Pattan in North Kashmir and Gulzar Ahmad Dar of Kulgam on February nine.
Jammu and Kashmir police claimed to have cracked the killing of Dar and made some arrests of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists who are allegedly involved in it.
During the meeting today, a threat assessment of all the panchayat members would be undertaken and personal security provided in areas where presence of security forces is minimal, official sources said.
The Chief Minister had described the killing of panchayat members as acts of cowardice by militants.
The meeting is also expected to underscore the need for the army and other para-military forces to increase their area domination and take steps to prevent terrorists from mixing with the local population.
Strengthening coordination between security agencies including police and sharing of intelligence will be discussed, the sources said.
Army could be told to keep the local police in the loop during search and cordon operations to prevent collateral damage, they said.
Government sources said some vested interests were trying to create trouble in the Valley.
Posters threatening panchayat members have come up in South and North Kashmir, asking them to quit their posts or face dire consequences.
The state government has already announced block level elections in the state to be completed by November this year.
The meeting, which will be attended by top Police, Army, para military personnel and officials from central security agencies, comes close on the heels of Omar Abdullah's assurance that his government will make every effort to ensure the security of panches and sarpanches.
Several panches and sarpanches have sent in their resignations apprehending threats to their lives in the wake of the killing of panchayat member Mohammed Shafi Teli at Kreeri in Pattan area of North Kashmir on September 23.
Jammu and Kashmir police claimed to have cracked the killing of Dar and made some arrests of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists who are allegedly involved in it.
Advertisement
The Chief Minister had described the killing of panchayat members as acts of cowardice by militants.
Advertisement
Strengthening coordination between security agencies including police and sharing of intelligence will be discussed, the sources said.
Advertisement
Government sources said some vested interests were trying to create trouble in the Valley.
Advertisement
The state government has already announced block level elections in the state to be completed by November this year.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
"Neighbour Unnerved By Jammu And Kashmir's Transformation": Lt Governor What Recovery Of Austrian Gun 'Steyr AUG' From J&K Terrorists Means PM Modi Chairs Security Meet Amid Rising Terror Attacks In Jammu After Retest, Haryana NEET Centre With Most Top Scorers Gave This Result... The 'Fake' CrowdStrike Worker Who Took Credit For Biggest-Ever IT Outage What Recovery Of Austrian Gun 'Steyr AUG' From J&K Terrorists Means Newborn Saved From Dead Mother's Womb After Israel Strikes Gaza Hospital Florida Cops Urge Locals To Stop Taking Selfies With "Depressed" Bear 5 People From Jharkhand's Jamtara Convicted For Money Laundering Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.