(a) whether there are reports of threats to Panchayat representatives in the State of Jammu and Kashmir;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) whether a number of such representatives have been attacked and
killed by terrorist/separatist organizations in the State;
(d) if so, the details of such cases reported during the current year; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure safety of the said representatives?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS(SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a) to (e): As per information received from the State Government, two Sarpanchs
(Kulgam & Baramulla) and one Panch (Baramulla) have been killed by unknown gunmen
in the incidents of violence against the elected representatives of the Panchayats.
Investigation is on to unravel the truth as to whether the killings of Pachayat
members were related to militancy or there were some criminal nexus or personal
enmity behind the incidents. State Government have taken measures to ensure safety
of the elected representatives of Panchayats which includes night patrolling by
security forces and domination of area, perceived to the vulnerable to such attacks.
All specific reports about threats to Sarpanchs/Panchs are being attended by the
State Police.