J&K Panchayat leaders urge LS Speaker to bolster security

Om Birla, who is on a four-day trip to the Valley, visited Pahalgam on Monday and interacted with the panchayat leaders.

In wake of recent attacks and threats from terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, several Panchayat leaders on Monday urged Lok Sabha Speaker for additional security cover and modern vehicles.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Jammu & Kashmir (PTI)

Birla, who is on a four-day trip to the Valley, visited Pahalgam on Monday and interacted with the panchayat leaders.

Anantnag’s District Development Council chairman Md Yusuf Gorsi told Birla that he has been given just two PSOs (personal security officers). “We are from south Kashmir and we have just two security guards. It is strange that Jammu and south Kashmir panchayat leaders have same security levels” Gorsi said.

Zerena Akhtar, DDC chairperson of Pahalgam, said, “We are required to inform police before we go anywhere. And then, we again come back to the hotel. We haven’t met our family members for months now.” Another DDC member, Nihar Mir from Dashnepora argued that the security situation in Jammu and south Kashmir are “very different.” “We require more security. We are under constant threat. We must be given good vehicles to travel in hilly terrain,” said Mir.

Lauding their efforts, he said, “It’s for everyone to see how Panchayat Raj Institutions have strengthened democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.”