Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omer Abdullah has condemned the recent killing of three panchs in the valley and assured to provide adequate security cover to Panchayat Members. Addressing a press conference in Srinagar today, the Chief Minister reiterated his goverment's resolve to take all measures to complete the process of revival of Panchayati Raj in the state initiated last year with mass participation of people in the electorall process after thirty years.

The Chief Minister said that militants and seperatists tried to undermine the revival of grassroot level democratic institutions in the state and goverment with the support of people will defeat these anti-people designs.

He announced that his goverment would bring in amendments in the state constitution to ensure devolution of powers to the Panchyats and second tier elections for block development councils will be completed within the month of October. He said that so far 50 panchs and sarpanchs have tendered their resignations after these killings.