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Afghanistan/South Asia
Kashmir councillors to get more security
2005-03-25
SRINAGAR - Newly-elected municipal councillors in Indian Kashmir, always under continuous threat from Islamic militants, will get more security and protected government accommodation, a state minister said on Thursday. "Every councillor of the state (perceived to be under threat) will be provided with more security and accommodation at safer places in the respective district headquarters," home minister Abdul Rehman Veeri said in a statement.
Of course, if you just whacked all the terrorists, you wouldn't have to hide your councillors ...
Municipal polls were held in Indian Kashmir earlier this year after a gap of 27 years that was due partly to the ongoing Islamic insurgency against Indian rule in Kashmir but also due to the previous ruling party's fears of creating a rival power base.

Guerrillas bombed rallies and killed candidates, party workers and elected officials to scuttle the elections. The government had already provided the 850 councillors elected in the ballot with a personal security guard each but the elected officials demanded even tighter security, with some staying at their party headquarters for fear of militant attacks. "I welcome the government decision. We need safe accommodation and more security to work without fear," a woman councillor from the Indian Kashmir summer capital Srinagar said, asking not to be named.

In further violence, Indian troops overnight shot dead a militant in southern Poonch district, while suspected rebels gunned down a Muslim civilian and injured his female relative, police said.
Posted by:Steve White

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