Valley lies uneasy as security intensified
19 Jan 2013 1:29 AM GMT
Fear has gripped village council members across the Kashmir Valley in the wake of the killing of one and a murderous attack on another elected village representative in Jammu and Kashmir. The army has now started night patrolling in areas where militants are believed to operate.
‘The night patrolling is meant to dominate such areas and give a sense of security to the panches and sarpanches,’ a senior police officer said.
Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said the government was even considering providing security cover to elected village representatives in specific cases.
The attacks come at a time when relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the Jan 6 killing of a Pakistani soldier allegedly in firing by Indian troops. Two days later, Pakistani soldiers brutally killed two Indian soldiers, beheading one of them, near LoC.
After the panchayat elections in 2011, which were held in the state after a gap of 30 yrs, the elected village council members have been receiving threats.
PEACE WON'T BE AFFECTED: KHURSHID
Welcoming ‘positive statements’ coming from Pak, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the recent incidents won’t affect peace process. ‘There is a positive content in the statement that has come from Pak foreign minister and high commissioner. It is welcome and it should be getting an appropriate response from our side,’ he said.
‘The night patrolling is meant to dominate such areas and give a sense of security to the panches and sarpanches,’ a senior police officer said.
Director General of Police Ashok Prasad said the government was even considering providing security cover to elected village representatives in specific cases.
The attacks come at a time when relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since the Jan 6 killing of a Pakistani soldier allegedly in firing by Indian troops. Two days later, Pakistani soldiers brutally killed two Indian soldiers, beheading one of them, near LoC.
After the panchayat elections in 2011, which were held in the state after a gap of 30 yrs, the elected village council members have been receiving threats.
PEACE WON'T BE AFFECTED: KHURSHID
Welcoming ‘positive statements’ coming from Pak, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said the recent incidents won’t affect peace process. ‘There is a positive content in the statement that has come from Pak foreign minister and high commissioner. It is welcome and it should be getting an appropriate response from our side,’ he said.
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