SRINAGAR: Residents of Raiyar village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district Saurday staged a protest against panchayat members, alleging that they were spreading “terror” in the area.
A group of villagers assembled in the city centre and alleged that sarpanch of Raiyar village Maqbool Mir and other panchayat members were harassing local people.
“Mir along with his gang on Friday thrashed my son Aijaz Ahmed without any reason. Mir got angry as we had sought information under the RTI Act from the block development officer about various works that were carried in the village,” said Ghulam Qadir, a protester.
“The sarpanch has embezzled money through various developmental schemes. Nobody is taking note of his ill doings,” said Qadir.
Another protester said the sarpanch was having an illegal weapon and he was using it to terrorise people.
“He has been given a free hand. Even the police does not take any action against the sarpanch,” alleged another protester, Tariq Ahmed.
The protesters alleged that Mir had a criminal background and was involved in many cases. The protesters demanded action against the panchayat member and his gang for harassing the locals.
“We also appeal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take note of the harassments that they were facing daily. If the government did not initiate action, we will be left with no option but to migrate from our village,” said a protester.
Police officers said they had registered a case after two groups clashed in the village.
(TNS)
