Srinagar, October 24: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday appealed the people of Kashmir, particularly youth to stay away from gunfight sites during counter-terrorism operations to avoid loss of civilian lives. He also urged the people to participate with fervour in forthcoming Panchayati elections to strengthen democracy and governance at the grassroots level.
He also said that Jammu and Kashmir could not become a developed state due to corruption at several levels. The state government has chalked out an ‘Action Plan’ to take strong action against corruption. It will soon announce certain measures to curb corruption in J&K.
On Sunday, seven civilians were killed in a blast at an encounter site in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district where three militants were also killed.
Addressing a news conference at Nehru Guest House in Srinagar, Singh also announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the next of kin of seven civilians killed in Kulgam blast.
He also appealed to the political parties to participate in upcoming Panchayat polls.
Two main regional parties, National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party boycotted the urban local bodies polls in Jammu and Kashmir.