‘We will participate in polls despite threats, govt should give security’

As the Centre plans to hold panchayat and local bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the All J&K Panchayat Conference chairman Shafiq Mir in an interview with Mir Ehsan of the Hindustan Times says that despite threats from militants, they will participate in the panchayat elections. He blames leaders of all the mainstream political parties for creating impediments in empowering the institutions that form backbone of the grassroots democracy. Though 16 panches and sarpanches were killed in different incidents across the state in past six years, Mir said that all the persons were not killed by militants and hopes that militants and separatist organisations will not interfere in the panchayat system this time as this is the only social institution which brings relief in the lives of local people.

Here are the excerpts.

Is this the right time to hold panchayat elections in the state?

The government has to take a call whether the situation is conducive for holding panchayat elections or not. We are ready to contest elections any time but it is a responsibility of the government to provide secure environment, security for these elections and those who will participate in these elections.

Why is it necessary to hold panchayat polls this time?

The term of last panchayat expired two years ago. This time, there are thousands of crores of rupees which the Centre was supposed to release through local bodies and panchayats. However, the money has not been released, which has further stopped the development in villages. And for good governance on the grassroots level, these institutions need to be strengthened. The panchayat is an important body as its members keep an eye on developmental works on the grassroots level. Hence, holding elections is mandatory.

Should elections be held on nonparty basis?

Panchayat is a social body. Unfortunately, the leaders of mainstream political parties have exploited these institutions... we have been demanding that elections should be held on non-political basis.

Why are panchayats important in J&K?

We have panchayats in our villages and if there is any problem, people come to us and get their problems redressed through village elders. Most of the village issues are settled by elders and don’t reach police stations and courts...

Is this true that panches and sarpanches become easy targets in Kashmir?

Our 16 sarpanches have been killed in last five years only because of political exploitation. Had they not been associated with any political party, I don’t think they would have been killed. The problem with panchayats become grave when political parties start to identify panchayati raj institutions with politics and the parties (mostly militants) who are opposed to mainstream politics then target the panchayat members...

Had militants already asked to boycott these elections?

Even if militants will issue a boycott threat, our members will still contest elections as we are not going to take diktats and interference from anyone. Even if any of our colleagues will be targeted, I don’t think our society will take it easily. We are going to contest these elections on the issues of ‘pani, bijli and sadak’, and this is first and only election conducted under the J&K’s own constitution.

What were the impediments which you faced last time in elections?

SRINAGAR:

The panchayats were not empowered and from past five years we have been fighting for our rights.The present governor NN Vohra has taken several steps to do away with the measures which had curtailed powers of the panchayats.

How serious is militant threat?

So far, no boycott call has been given by any militant organisation... we want to make it clear that our institution is not going to harm their politics or struggle. We want this system as our villages are deprived of basics rights. Even if our participation is wrong then they should ask all government employees to leave their jobs...

How can the Centre empower panchayats in J&K?

We have demanded that government should give us Maharashtra and Karnataka models as they are empowered.The Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, is very much powerful but it has never been implemented.