Manoj Sinha also urged local leaders to take precautionary measures for their own safety. (File)
Srinagar:
Newly appointed Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday promised better security arrangements for elected leaders at the local level, but also called on them to take precautionary measures.
“Many people have spoken about security issues. We have lost several colleagues recently … My sympathies and the administration are with their families. Whatever security arrangements have been made, they have also been reviewed. . I would like to assure you that we will. Make our efforts to provide you with the best security arrangements, “Sinha said while addressing a function to congratulate the COVID warriors here at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Center (SKICC).
The lieutenant governor urged sarpanchs, panches and other elected officials to adopt precautionary measures for their own safety.
“I will not initiate these measures publicly, but they will be communicated to you by the authorities in one way or another,” he added.
Mr Sinha was responding to concerns raised by elected grassroots leaders about their safety, following the murder of several panchayat members and some BJP workers by terrorists in Kashmir over the past month.
Four employees or officials of the Bharatiya Janata party have been targeted by terrorists in the past month.
BJP District Chairman for Bandipora Waseem Bari, his father and brother were shot dead by terrorists last month.
A BJP panch was shot and wounded on August 4 while another party sarpanch was gunned down two days later in Kulgam district, southern Kashmir.
A BJP worker was shot dead by terrorists in Budgam district on August 9 and died a day later.
The targeted killings have led nearly a dozen BJP leaders to quit the party in the past three days.
