Jammu, Jan 8 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy ChiefMinister Nirmal Singh today hoped that the panchayat pollsnext month would be held in an environment free from violence.
His remarks came after Kashmiri militant organisationHizbul Mujahideen reportedly threatened to physically harmthose who would participate in the upcoming polls in thestate.
"I am confident elections will be held and the governmentwill ensure they are held without violence," Singh toldreporters.
He described the threat as a "desperation" by militants,and also by Pakistan, "which is forcing the terrorists tospread fear psychosis and disrupt this process of elections."According to reports, Hizbul Muzahideen circulated avideo on social media in which a person, believed to be theoutfit's operations commander Riyaz Naikoo, is heardthreatening residents against participating in the polls.
The panchayat polls could not be held in 2016 because ofviolence and unrest in the Valley after Hizbul commanderBurhan Wani was killed in July that year.
The polls are now scheduled to be held from February 15.
Deputy Chief Minister Singh asserted that the youths, whohave been misled under Pakistan's influence, have returned.
"In Kashmir parents and friends are appealing militantsto come back and we hope that in future more people will shunmilitancy and return to their homes," he said.
Asked about the action taken against four cricketers, whoallegedly playing Pakistan's national anthem before the startof a cricket match in Bandipora district yesterday, Singhsaid: "Action has been taken and law will take its course".
PTI ABABH.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.