JKPC`s hunger strike continues for second day

AJKPC continued their fast for second day in protest against the state government`s failure to address the issues of security to panchayat members.

Jammu: The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) continued their fast for the second day in protest against the state government`s failure to address the issues of security to panchayat members and implementation of 73 amendment of the Constitution. The agitating Panchayat members sitting on the hunger strike strongly condemned both the state government and the Centre for their "failure" and silence over the issue of security of the Panchayat members. "It is unfortunate that our elected ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs are least bothered over this serious issue. Life of 33,000 Panchayat members is at stake, how can you be so insensitive, questioned the agitating Sarpanches," General Secretary of AJKPC, Anil Sharma, said. Sharma, who is leading the 72 hour long hunger strike, which started yesterday, along with Ghulam Hassan Punzoo, Chief Spokesperson of the organisation and Sarpanch Raj Kumar, assured their colleagues that they would continue with the protest.

"People of Kashmir always wanted democracy to flourish and establishment of constitutional units but unfortunately there are certain elements in the establishment and mainstream political parties who do not wish to see peace prospering in the state," Punzoo alleged. He blamed Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar for not paying heed to the voice of the people and warned the government that it should not test the patience of Panchayat members. PTI