Sarpanch killing aftermath: Several BJP leaders, political workers resign in South Kashmir

Srinagar: Soon after suspected militants killed BJP Sarpanch in Qazigund area of Kulgam district on Thursday, several BJP leaders and political workers resigned from the party fearing reprisal from militants for being affiliated to the BJP
BJP General Secretary for Dooru Muhammad Rafiq Bhat constituency here in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district while announcing his resignation from the party said he has nothing to do with BJP from now onwards. “I resign from the party. I request people to forgive me, if my actions have hurt them in the past,” Bhat said.
Independent Sarpanch Muhammad Iqbal from Chandan Pajan area of Devsar, Kulgam uploaded a video on social media announcing his resignation. “I am resigning from the post of Sarpanch. I have not earned a penny after being elected as Sarpanch. I have small kids and my wife has died. If I die, there is no one to take care of my kids,” he said.
At least seven BJP workers from Kulgam and Anantnag resigned from party today seeking forgiveness from people which include BJP’s District Secretary for Kulgam Nisar Ahmed Mir, a resident of Kellem, District General Secretary Shahzad Ahmad Bhat of Chowgam, party workers Mohammad Ayoub Ganai, a resident of Banghal Kulgam and Gull Mohammad Ganai, a native of Chandien Kulgam, Party worker Shabir Rasool Khan, Party worker Reyaz Aziz Rather and Party worker Khaliq Subhan Sheikh , all residents of Narupora Watnard Tehsil Kokernag.
Yesterday, three BJP workers announced their resignation from Qazigund that include Vice President Devsar Constituency Subzar Paddar, Warpora-Kund Constituency President, Nisar Ghani Wani and Ashiq Abdullah Palla of Warpora Kund.
A couple of days ago, militants fired upon a BJP Sarpanch Arif Ahmed at Akhran Mir Bazar area of Kulgam, leaving him critically injured. Arif was BJP Sarpanch. He is battling for life in SKIMS, Soura
BJP J&K vice-president Sofi Yousuf said that several forces don’t want to see BJP as a growing party in Kashmir. “They want to create fear psychosis on the ground. That’s why militants are killing our workers”, he said. “We urge the government to provide immediate security to BJP Sarpanchs, Panchs, Corporators and grass root level workers,” Sofi said.
A senior police officer in Kulgam district said that many BJP and other political workers approached the police for security. “They have been accommodated at safe locations and their security concerns are being taken care of,” he said, wishing not to be named