30 local officials quit in Jammu & Kashmir after rebel threats

Hand-written notices announcing the resignations were posted in Tral area of the southern Kashmir valley where militants shot dead two officials and another man on Monday night, residents told AFP.

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By (AFP)

Published: Wed 23 Apr 2014, 3:15 PM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 11:43 PM

At least 30 fearful local officials have resigned in Indian Kashmir after rebels killed two colleagues and issued a warning against voting this week in the country’s elections, residents said Wednesday.

Hand-written notices announcing the resignations were posted in Tral area of the southern Kashmir valley where militants shot dead two officials and another man on Monday night, residents told AFP.

“We were misled that Panchayat elections are only meant for addressing local issues. It was a mistake on our part and we apologise for that,” one of the resignation letters seen by AFP read.

In some of the resignation letters, council members dissociated themselves from political parties taking part in the current election as well as denying involvement in the election process.

Tensions are running high ahead of voting in the area on Thursday, after rebels issued a warning against taking part in the mammoth general election underway throughout India.

Rebels often target council members as part of their insurgency, with at least a dozen killed since elections were held in 2010 in the region for “panchayat” or village councils.

Police were hunting for militants who killed one village council head in Tral area of Pulwana district on Monday. They killed another senior village official and his 24-year-old son about an hour later in the same area.

(AFP)

Published: Wed 23 Apr 2014, 3:15 PM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 11:43 PM

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