| To be treated as VIPs on R-Day, elected representatives crave for security | | | Early Times Report
srinagar, Jan 11: The recently elected Councilors, Panchs, and Sarpanchs may be treated as VIPs on the Republic Day function in Kashmir but are facing greater threats due to lack of security.
These Councilors, Panchs, Sarpanches contested the elections despite threats from militants and separatists in Kashmir. However, they continue to face the threats by militants.
"We were told that government will provide us adequate security but on ground nothing is being done. We are facing threats to our lives," a panch from south Kashmir's Pulwama district said.
A councilor from Srinagar said that government shall provide them adequate security. "Only few people are having security. At least government should make a condusive environment for we people," he said, wishing not to be quoted by name.
A panch from south Kashmir said that militants have been even threatening the relatives of elected representatives. "A relative of Sikh Sarpanch was killed recently in Tral. Treating us as VIPs on Republic Day won't make any difference till we are provided adequate security especially where there is a larger presence of militants," he added.
The elections for urban local bodies were held for 79 urban local bodies while 1145 councillors were elected. Similarly, elections were conducted for 4483 Panchayats with a Sarpanch for each Panchayat Halqa and 35029 Panchs.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir recently reviewed the arrangements for the celebrations. He called for upright arrangements of security in an around the venue. It was decided in the meeting that councilors, panchs, and sarpanchs will be treated as VIPs.
"Security again shall ensure adequate and fool proof security arrangements in and around the venue. An extensive security plan shall be prepared by police department, encompassing vital areas, movements, and entries," the minutes of the meeting document reads.
"Preparation of list of invitees and delivery thereof shall be made by DC Srinagar. Invitees shall include VVIP and VIPs including panchs, sarpanchs, councilors etc," it reads.
An official at DC Srinagar office said that councilors, panchs, and sarpanchs would be invited from Srinagar to attend the celebrations at SK Cricket Stadium Srinagar while others would attend in their respective districts
Following the same violation policy, sources alleged that even the promotion scheme of the Assistant Registrars and Deputy Registrars have not been cleared by the Jammu and Kashmir Finance department so far. "Newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of JU might not be aware of the rule position otherwise he wouldn't have allowed the flouting of the rules, "sources claimed. |
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