SRINAGAR: A Sarpanch (village head) from north Kashmir’s Kupwara district has been arrested for allegedly issuing fake militant threats to other Panchayat members.
Ghulam Nabi Malik, Sarpanch of Tikker village in frontier district of Kupwara circulated posters claiming to have been issued by the Jamiat ul Mujahideen militant group.
But the posters, asking other Panchs and Sarpanchs to quit, were allegedly printed by Malik himself.
“Prima facie he was found involved in issuing threats to panchs and sarpanchs and a case FIR No 26/2013 stands already registered in this case under section 506 RPC of unlawful activities act.” Deputy Superintendent of Police headquarter Kupwara, Sajjad Khaliq Bhat told a local news agency KNS.
The incident comes less than a month after police suspected a deputy Sarpanch of having faked an attack by militants.
Noor Muhammad had claimed that he was wounded after militants fired at him. But police began to investigate into the deputy village head’s claims after doctors who treated him raised doubts.
“Doctors told us that it was a superficial wound, more like burns. You can imagine, not even one stitch had to be made,” sources in the police had told Freepress.
“We are waiting for the report to clarify our doubts. If he is found to have faked it all, he will be booked. He could be sentenced for three months in jail.”
Why Noor had lied about being attacked by militants, if he did, remains to be ascertained. But sources believe he could have wanted a security cover.
There have been many attacks on village heads, some fatal, since they were elected in 2011.
Authorities have denied security to all the village heads, more than 33,000 in number. But they have assured that the vulnerable among them will be provided Personal Security Officers for their safety.
Pingback: Sarpanch Shot At in North Kashmir - Free Press Kashmir