BANDIPORA: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), a registered organisation working to strengthen grassroots democratic institutions, has urged the Union Government and the J&K Government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to provide adequate compensation and government jobs to the family members of assassinated Panches, Sarpanches and other PRI members who were martyred in Kashmir from 2011 till date. The organisation said that these PRI members laid down their lives for the cause of democracy and it is now the responsibility of the government to take care of their dependents. 

While presiding over a one-day convention of AJKPC at Bandipore district in North Kashmir, Anil Sharma, President of the organization urged the Chief Minister to acknowledge the sacrifices of the martyred Panches and Sarpanches. He requested the government to frame a clear policy for providing relief and support to the dependents of the deceased PRI members. 

On the issue of Panchayat elections, the AJKPC President said that holding elections without delimitation of Panchayat halqas and wards would be a futile exercise. He pointed out that there is a wide mismatch in the number of inhabitants and voters across Panchayats. In some Panchayats the number of voters is around 2,000, while in others it goes up to 4,000. This, he said, amounts to injustice as funds are allocated uniformly to each Panchayat as a single unit. 

During interaction with participants and media persons after the programme, Sharma highlighted the role of rural and urban local bodies in nurturing new leadership. He cited the example of Kavinder Gupta, who rose from a municipal corporator to Deputy Chief Minister, Speaker of the Assembly and later Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. He added that several former Panches and Sarpanches have also gone on to contest Assembly elections and become MLAs. 

Appreciating the people of Kashmir, especially the youth, for braving all odds and contributing to the strengthen democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma recalled a time when there were hardly any candidates for Panch and Sarpanch elections. Today, he said, there is a long line of aspiring candidates, which reflects the growing faith of Kashmiris in democratic values. 

The prominent people who attended the program and gave their valuable suggestions in the convention include All jammu & Kashmir Panchayat Conference AJKPC Bandhipora  Distt President M Shafi Khan, Surafraz Taimor,m Anwer Khan,m Abzil Ganie,fayaz Ah Wani,m Abzil Dar, Ab. Ahad Zarger,M Muzafer Wani, Mushtaq Ahmad Tantary, Shabir Ah Khan, Ab Rehman Ajas, Nadeem Ah Wan, Parvaiz Onagam,ab Rashid Ajas,bhahar Sb., Gulzar Haji, M Abzal Kandoo, Bashir Ah Dar Javid Ah Bhat, Fayaz Ah Najar, M Yousf Najar, Gh Hassan Najar, Kaiser Ah Rather, M Yousf Onagam, Manzoor Ah, M Ashraf Ajas, Ab Rashid Malla Showkat Ah Bhat , Ab Rashid Ajas, Ab Rashid Baba .

 

In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here