Sarpanchs, Panchs provided safe accommodations: IGP Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 12: IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar on Saturday said that Sarpanchs and Panchs who are facing threats from militants have been provided safe accommodations in Srinagar and other district headquarters.
“Militants on the directions of their handlers across the border, are trying to misuse religious places to create law & order situation, but we are alert and shall be foiling their nefarious designs,” he said talking to reporters on the side-lines of talent hunt programme organized by J&K Police at Tagore Hall Srinagar. IGP Kashmir has once again advised all the protected persons especially Sarpanchs and Panchs to inform local police while they intent to go on any visit.
Earlier, the IGP Kashmir had a detailed security review in the south Kashmir district.
The top police officer of the Valley along with DIG police and DIG CRPF Anantnag visited Kulgam and held meeting with DC Kulgam, SSP Kulgam, all COs of CRPF in Kulgam and other police officers.
“A detailed security review of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and protected persons (PPs) were exercised,” a police officer said, adding, “New measure to monitor their (PPS) visits were also discussed.”
Besides focus was given on to generate specific input to enhance anti-militancy operations and to reduce new recruitment into militant rank, the officer added.
Later in a statement issued here, police said IGP Kashmir while interacting with the officers urged upon them to strengthen the general security grid and ensure great synergy and coordination among the agencies working on ground. He also reiterated the need to adopt proactive measures to enhance ant militancy grid by generating specific intelligence and intensify operations in their area and to take all proactive steps for maintaining peace and stability in the district. He also emphasized upon the officers to keep strict vigil over the militant associates and take all necessary measures under law against them, the statement added.
On Friday evening militants shot dead a Sarpanch Shabir Ahmad Mir son of Mohammad Abdullah Mir at Audoora area of Kulgam and on March 2, a Panchat Ghar was gutted in a mysterious fire at Damhal Hanjipora area of the district. (GNS)