Srinagar: In protest of the upcoming elections, a panchayat building was set on fire by unknown perpetrators on Monday night.

This is not an isolated incident. Ever since the announcement of the elections two days ago, terrorist organisations have put up posters all over the Valley threatening people not to participate in the elections. They have also set fire to three panchayat buildings.

In south Kashmir's Shopian and Pulwama districts, some anti-national elements set fire to three panchayat buildings.
Some unknown miscreants set fire to a panchayat Ghar of Nazneenpora in Shopian district. Local administration extinguished the fire, and it did not cause much damage.

In Pulwama district of south Kashmir, miscreants set ablaze a panchayat Ghar, damaging the entire building.

In the third instance, the panchayat Ghar of Chak Durga was set on fire, after which police and local administration reached the spot and extinguished it.

A senior police official said that taking into account the three cases, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have started investigations and the perpetrators will be arrested soon.

On September 16, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Shaleen Kabra announced that panchayat elections in the state would be held in nine phases, from November 17 to December 11, between 8 am and 2 pm. 

Director General of Police, Dilbagh Singh, while talking to the media had said that Jammu and Kashmir Police is fully prepared to provide a safe environment during the elections, where people can exercise their right to vote peacefully.