35 Sikh sarpanchs, panchs resign in Pulwama over killing of youth by unknown gunmen

As many as 35 Sikh sarpanch and panches (members) have announced their resignations in Pulwama area of south kashmir. The move came after a Sikh youngster was targeted by unknown gunmen a few days back in Tral. The youth later died in the hospital. The All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) said 35 members have decided to quit, but the authorities are yet to accept their resignations.

“All those Sikhs who recently won Sarpanchs and Panchs elections, about 25 to 30 in number, have resigned en-masse in Pulwama in view of security concerns, following killing of a Sikh youth in Tral on Friday.

The youth, identified as Simranjeet Singh, is the brother of a sarpanch,” APSCC said. Expressing anguish on the alleged silence of pro-freedom leaders over the killing of a Sikh youth by unidentified gunmen in south Kashmir’s Tral, the APSCC said some vested interests are trying to harm the centuries old communal harmony in the Valley, according to local media reports.

Singh's elder brother was elected as a sarpanch in recently held panchayat elections.