SRINAGAR: A Sarpanch (village head) has been wounded in an attack by unidentified gunmen in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Police say the gunmen fired at Ghulam Mohammad Bhat in Bomai village near Sopore town at 8 pm.
He received bullet injuries in the arm and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Ahmed is said to be affiliated with the ruling National Conference party.
This is the latest in a series of attacks on Sarpanchs and Panchs (members of the village panchayat) since they were elected two years ago.
On April 8 Ghulam Mohammed Lone, the Sarpanch of Kolpora village in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district was killed by suspected militants.
The police have blamed most of the attacks, including the latest, on separatist militants who have on several occasions asked the sarpanchs and panchs to quit.
The Indian authorities have touted the peaceful conduct of panchayat elections as a sign of normalcy in the state after two decades of armed conflict.
Panchayat members have been demanding police security but the authorities say providing guards to every individual panch and sarpanch is just not possible.
Also Read: Kashmir Sarpanch Arrested For Issuing Fake Threats to Colleagues
