All efforts will be made for safety of panchs: Omar

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said he would discuss the issue of providing security to panchayat members at the next meeting of the Unified Headquarters to ensure their safety and smooth functioning.

Condemning the killing of panch Mohammad Shafi Teli of Baramulla district Sunday night, the chief minister termed the act "heinous and against public cause".

Omar conveyed his grief and sympathy to the bereaved family.

The chief minister said establishment of a powerful and functional Panchayati Raj in the state is his government's commitment.

All efforts would be made to ensure safety of panchs and sarpanchs and provide them conducive-atmosphere to work for the good of people, he said.

Meanwhile, officials in the rural development and panchayati raj department said they had not received any resignation from grassroot-level representatives in the wake of Teli's killing.

"We have not received any resignation," an official of the department said.

Militants have killed several panchs and sarpanchs since the landmark panchayat polls were held in the state last year after a gap of 30 years.

Posters have surfaced in many areas of Kashmir since early this year asking panchs and sarpanchs to resign from their posts or face dire consequences.