STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday witnessed pandemonium created by members of opposition National Conference, Congress and CPI(M), with some of them even charging towards Speaker Kavinder Gupta for rejecting three notices for Adjournment Motion on various issues.
The agitated opposition continued protests against Forest Minister Choudhary Lal Singh for his alleged threatening remarks against Gujjars.
All but one Opposition MLA later staged a walkout from the House.
Trouble started as soon as the House met for the day with the MLAs from NC, Congress, CPI(M) and two Independents demanding a ruling from the Speaker on the notices for Adjournment Motion for a discussion on the killings in Kashmir and implementation of National Food Security Act in the state.
The NC MLAs were carrying banners with photographs of civilians killed in action by security forces in Handwara last month while dealing with violent protests.
Amid pandemonium in the House, the Speaker said he had rejected the notices, saying these issues could be raised in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address scheduled to be taken sometime later in the day.
The protesting MLAs from NC and Congress stormed the well of the House to press for their demands.
However, the speaker refused to relent and conducted the proceedings amidst the din.
Some of the opposition MLAs tried to rush towards the Chair but were prevented by a posse of marshals and the Assembly stewards.
The opposition members shouted slogans against the government and demanded that those involved in Handwara killings be punished.
They raised slogans like “Handwara ke qatiloo ko pesh karo’ (present the killers of Handwara), ‘Insaaf do, insaaf do, Handwara ki beti ko Insaaf do” (give justice to the daughter of Handwara) and “Bashan nahi ration do (don’t give speeches, give food)”. As the proceedings continued, the opposition members changed tactic and surrounded Education Minister Naeem Akhtar whenever he rose to answer a question.
They also shouted down Forest Minister Lal Singh for his alleged anti-Gujjar remarks made during a meeting with the community members at his residence in Jammu on May 18.
Although Singh has denied making any such remarks, the opposition members continued the protest against him.
