New LG knows how to deal with situation, says BJP’s Sofi Yusuf
Srinagar: The killing of a Sarpanch affiliated with BJP has once again sparked fear among the party workers with many submitting their resignations or publically disassociating from the mainstream parties in South Kashmir.
On Thursday, suspected militants shot dead a BJP Sarpanch Sajad Ahmad Khanday in Qazigund area of Kulgam district. While on Wednesday, a BJP Sarpanch Arif Ahmad was shot at, leaving him critically injured.
These attacks have sparked fear among political workers, panches, sarpanches, and councilors across South Kashmir. Many have fled their homes and taken refuge in comparatively safer areas, according to reports.“We put our lives at risk after contesting polls but nobody is bothered about our security. We live under constant fear. The recent attacks on Sarpanchs have triggered a fresh fear among workers on the ground,” a Sarpanch from South Kashmir was quoted as saying.Several political workers mostly associated with the BJP have resigned.
Muhammad Rafiq Bhat, BJP General Secretary for Dooru constituency in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, announced his resignation from the party on Thursday.
Independent Sarpanch Muhammad Iqbal from Chandan Pajan area of Devsar, Kulgam uploaded a video on social media announcing his resignation.
Several BJP workers from Kulgam and Anantnag resigned from the party on Thursday seeking ‘forgiveness’ from people.
On Wednesday, three BJP workers from Qazigund had announced their resignations.
Defying militant threats, the Panchayat members contested the Panchayat polls during November-December 2018 with an assurance by the government that Panchayat members will be provided security, said a Panch.
The Panchayat election in 2018, was largely boycotted in Kashmir. In the Valley out of 20093 Panch and Sarpanch seats, only 6162 Panches and 1366 Sarpanches were elected, most of them uncontested. Year on 12565 constituencies remain vacant. The authorities have failed to conduct elections on these vacant seats, so far.
Several BJP leaders have also resigned from the party in North Kashmir.
This comes after a BJP youth leader Waseem Bari along with his father and brother was killed in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district last month.
Senior BJP leader Sofi Yusuf said many party workers have resigned because of the fear.
“Militants are attacking BJP workers and leaders. Panchs and Sarpanchs don’t have proper security. They are resigning for their safety. There are many elements in Kashmir who don’t want the strengthening of BJP,” Yusuf said.
“BJP workers will fight. We celebrated the first anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. We told previous Lieutenant Governor G C Murmu to provide security to Panchs, Sarpanchs, and Councilors. But we now have a political leader who is LG of J&K who knows well how to deal with the situation,” he said.
He said Manoj Sinha has been appointed LG of J&K as the Centre knows where to utilize services of such people.
“I have been saying a political process shall be started which is for betterment of J&K. There are some people who do politics on fake promises. But people are educated and they know the politics of these politicians,” he said. (KINS)
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