An organisation of panchs and sarpanchs in Jammu and Kashmir today urged Governor Satya Pal Malik to ensure security cover to its members ahead of the local bodies' polls in the state.
The All Jammu Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) said 12 panchayat representatives were killed by militants from 2011 to 2016 in the state due to the police's "failure" to provide security to them.
"It was the security failure of the security wing of J&K Police that led to the killing of panchayat members by terrorists," AJKPC state president Anil Sharma told reporters here.
He said despite threats by militants the AJKPC members have been working hard for restoration of democratic institutions at grassroots level.
"The administration is planning to hold panchayat elections in October-December. Despite hostile and challenging atmosphere, the AJKPC members have always encouraged people for larger participation in these elections," Sharma said.
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