Ensure security of panchayat members: SAD to J-K govt

"We extend support to Panchayats members and strongly back adequate security measures for them. The state government should take the required steps to provide them protection," SAD state president Harasis Singh told reporters here.

Singh claimed that his party would raise the issue with the central leadership.

He said the SAD was concerned about the security of the panchayat members after Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Salahuddin, in an interview to weekly news magazine said panchayat members will be targeted in future as the government was projecting Kashmiris as pro-India.

"The party appreciates the brave stand taken by the Panchayat leaders as they have refused to follow the diktat of the Hizbul chief to resign," he added.

Singh also slammed the state government for being "insensitive" to the issue of providing adequate security cover to the Panches and Sarpanches.

"Panchayats are the basic pillars of democratic establishment, then why these innocent village leaders are left at the mercy of terror outfits," he said.