Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 27: Opposition legislators caused uproar in the Legislative Assembly and Council today and later staged walkout after their adjournment motions on various issues including the recent spate of killings in Kashmir and National Food Security Act (NFSA) were rejected.
As soon as the Legislative Assembly assembled, the opposition MLAs from National Conference, Congress, CPI(M) and two Independents took to their feet demanding a ruling from the Speaker on the adjournment motions moved by them for holding a discussion on the killings in Kashmir especially in Handwara where 5 people were killed recently and implementation of NFSA in the State.
The NC MLAs were carrying banners with photographs of civilians killed in alleged security forces firing in Handwara last month and Congress was protesting against the implementation of NFSA which it said is anti-people.
As pandemonium prevailed in the House, the Speaker ruled that he has rejected the adjournment motions, saying these issues could be raised in the discussion on motion of thanks to the Governor’s address scheduled to be taken after the Question Hour.
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. The opposition MLAs even tried to rush towards the Speaker’s chair but were prevented by marshals.
The opposition members shouted slogans against the Government and demanded that those involved in Handwara killings be punished. “Handwara Ke Qatiloo Ko Pesh Karo and Insaaf Do Insaaf Do Handwara Ki Beti Ko Insaaf Do” and “Bashan nahi ration do” were some of the slogans raised by the protesting members. The Speaker informed the House that the report on killings of 5 people in Handwara will be ready in two days.
The Minister for CAPD, Choudhary Zulfkar, flayed the opposition over the NFSA amid uproar. He said that the Act was passed when Congress was in power at Centre and it was approved by NC-Congress government in the State in 2013. “It is they who gave go ahead for the Act and not we. If they are serious, let them have a discussion on it. Why are they shying away from discussion?”, he asked.
As the proceedings continued, the opposition members changed tactics and surrounded Education Minister Naeem Akhtar whenever he rose to answer a question during Question Hour.
The PDP MLA, Javed Mir, stood up and told the opposition that they have every right to protest but they should not target the Minister when he is speaking. “If you have guts, come in front of me”, he challenged the opposition amid din.
The opposition 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.
Roads and Buildings Minister, Abdul Rehman Veeri, flayed the opposition parties saying they had no issues to raise and were only playing to the galleries. He urged the opposition members to take their seats and participate in the discussion as “they (galleries) have heard you and seen you”.
With five minutes left for the question hour to end, the entire opposition except for independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid staged a walkout. “I will not go out, I will stay here”, said Rashid. However, the MLAs returned to the house when the discussion on motion of thanks began after 15 minutes.
Opposition in Legislative Council also created uproar and staged a walkout over the same issues as were raised in the Assembly.
As soon as the Council proceedings started this morning, the opposition National Conference (NC) and Congress members stood on their feet and started sloganeering against the Coalition Government. While NC members were demanding a debate over killings of five civilians in Handwara, the Congress were protesting and seeking debate on ration shortage in the State.
Qaiser Jamsheed Lone and Ali Mohammad Dar of NC displayed posters of civilians killed in Handwara in the House and raised slogans like ‘Qatil Sarkar Hai Hai’ while the Congress members shouted slogans like ‘Bhashan Nahi Ration Chahiye’. As the uproar persisted, the Chairman of the House, Haji Anayat Ali urged the agitating Opposition to sit down and let question hour continue.
The adamant NC and Congress members continued to chant slogans and tried to rush towards Chairman’s podium but the marshalls prevented them from doing so.
As the Congress members were shouting slogans against Government over ration shortage in wake of implementation of National Food Security Act, the Minister of CAPD Chowdhary Zulfkar stood up from his seat and dismissed shortage claims.
“If the members want discussion on NFSA we are ready… I strongly refute the Opposition charge of food-grains shortage in State. There is sufficient storage of food-grains in the State. If they want to play to the galleries they can,” he said.
The NC legislatures, on the other side, sought punishment to the accused security personnel in Handwara civilian killings and charged State Government of being dictated by RSS. The Social Welfare Minister, Sajjad Gani Lone, who hails from Kupwara district, lost his temper as NC member, Qaiser Jamsheed Lone, was displaying picture of one of the civilians killed in Handwara with Lone saying: “Do you even remember who he is?”
Minster, Sajjad Lone, also reminded NC of 2010 killings and said: “You should be ashamed of yourself. Your hands are red with blood.” However despite the opposition uproar, the Question Hour continued in the House.
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