Woman from PaK married to Kupwara resident elected Sarpanch unopposed

Srinagar : A woman from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) has been elected unopposed as Sarpanch and Panch in Khumriyal area of north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district.

Arifa Begum (35) had come to this part of Kashmir along with her husband Ghulam Mohammad Mir via Nepal in 2010. Arifa, originally a resident of Palandari village in Muzaffarabad had submitted her nomination papers for both Panch as well as Sarpanch wards in Khumriyal-B in the frontier district.

There were no nominations against her and as such has been declared elected unopposed for both Panch and Sarpanch wards, an official from the district administration said.

While talking to GNS, Ghulam Mohammad Mir said that he crossed over Line of Control (LoC) in 2001 and remained there till 2010 before returning home via Nepal along with his wife Arifa.

“During my days in Pakistan to earn the livelihood, Mir said adding, “during the time I marred Arifa”.

A security officer told newsgathering agency GNS that Mir had ex-filtrated in 2001 for arms training and had returned in 2010 and later surrendered. He said that the Arifa has been provided adequate security as part of the government decision of securing all the candidates contesting Panchayati elections in Jammu and Kashmir state. (GNS)