At least five sarpanches and panches in Kashmir have been killed in attacks carried out by ultras against the people who participated in the panchayat elections last year, he said.
Singh said these killings have triggered a spate of resignations of elected representatives and demanded the Centre takes proactive measures to protect their lives.
"Sarpanches and panches elected in panchayat polls last year have been targeted by the terrorists as they do not want peace and normalcy to return in the Valley. These mass resignations have dealt a big blow to democratic forces in the Kashmir Valley," Singh wrote to the Prime Minister.
Terrorists are forcing peaceful citizens to quit the democratic process, he said, adding that the J&K government has failed to redress the problem and not provided any security cover to elected representatives.
"Since peace and security are critical issues in restoring normalcy in the state, the onus lies on the Centre to act against these anti-democratic forces and anti-India forces working in the Valley," the BJP leader said.
Noting that panchayat members have shown exemplary valour in the face of terror threat, Rajnath Singh said, "keeping these facts in mind, the Centre needs to take proactive measures to protect the life and dignity of elected representatives of state panchayat bodies."
"I request you (Singh) to look into these critical issues and take effective steps to strengthen panchayati raj system in the state," the former BJP president said.