SRINAGAR: Terrorists abducted and shot dead an Independent sarpanch in Pattan area of Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Friday evening, police said, adding that a massive hunt was launched to track down the attackers.
The deceased sarpanch has been identified as Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo, a resident of Gishbugh.
“Terrorists fired upon & killed one Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo (an Independent Sarpanch) at Goshbugh area of Pattan, Baramulla. Area has been cordoned off & search to track the involved terrorists is in progress,” Kashmir Zone Police tweeted.
Police sources said that preliminary investigations suggested that the sarpanch was abducted and later shot dead. He was missing since 5.30 pm.
Over two dozen members of Panchayat Raj Institution (PRI), including panch, sarpanch and block development council chairpersons, have been killed in terrorist attacks between 2011 and 2022.
Following a spike in targeted killings, the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC)—a registered organisation of elected PRI members have time and again demanded for immediate security cover to all elected panchayat representatives. The requests by the PRI members are already pending with the home department and security wing of J&K Police.
“The selective killings of elected PRI members in Kashmir are a matter of concern, as it has created a sense of insecurity among panchayat members who have been working tirelessly to strengthen democracy at grassroots level. It is the duty of the government to instil dwindling faith of PRI members in the security apparatus and it can be achieved only by providing them foolproof security cover without further delay,” an AJKPC spokesman told The New Indian.
“We appeal to the Union home minister to personally intervene into the matter and direct UT officials to ensure foolproof security to PRI members without any delay,” he demanded.
The sarpanch received critical gunshot injuries and was evacuated to nearby hospital for treatment where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. Area was cordoned off and a search operation was launched.