JK govt responsible for killings of panchayat members: AJKPC

"Omar government is responsible for the killings of the members of panchayats -- any killing of member of community in future would also be responsibility of government," All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference said.

AJKPC today paid tributes to the slain panchayats members at a function here.

"The state government has failed to protect lives of the community members -- who are being killing in the Valley," AJKPC chairman, Shafiq Mir told reporters here today.

He pointed towards the alleged threats by terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen.

"On November 2 last year, Hizbul Chief Syed Salahudin had openly threatened the Panches and Sarpanches of the state to resign from their posts otherwise they would be taught a suitable lesson," Mir said, adding, but government failed to provide security and protection.

"We will lose our lives -- but we will not resign," AJKPC said.

Suspected militants had shot dead sarpanch Habibullah Mir at Goripora village in Sopore town earlier this month.

A woman panchayat member, Zoonaa Begum, was also attacked and injured inside her house at Hardshiva Sopore later.