Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 11: Opposition PDP today criticised the Government for alleged use of pepper gas by police against protestors in the Valley and staged a walkout demanding a ban on the practise.
As the Assembly started proceedings this morning, PDP leaders Basharat Bukhari, Mansoor Hussain and Javed Mustafa Mir stood up from their benches and raised demand to ban use of pepper gas by police amid protests over it.
They claimed that pepper gas was causing severe ailments like asthma due to its large scale use against protestors, citing the case of one Hajira Begum, an asthma patient, who allegedly died due to use of pepper gas in Srinagar recently.
PDP members demanded discussions and statement from the Government.
However, Speaker Mubarak Gul resumed the Question Hour and the PDP continued protests for some time and later staging a walkout from the House.
Speaking to media outside the House, Leader of Opposition Mehbooba Mufti said the government was misusing pepper gas on protestors and demanded withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
After PDP members returned to the House, the Speaker asked the concerned minister to make a statement on the issue.
Replying to the issue, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah said the Government has already directed the law enforcing agencies to be cautious while dealing with people in maintaining law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley.
He added that these agencies have also been advised not to use such substances while controlling situations which are harmful to their health.
Cautioning people of valley against paying heed to the forces trying to exploit the situation for their petty political interests, the Minister said that these people are not peace lovers who always exploit the situation for their own benefit.
Mir Saifullah said that imposition of restrictions in the Kashmir Valley was done out of compulsions to avert any untoward incident and it was not aimed to cause trouble to the common people.
Appealing the people for not paying heed to those who are hell bent to disturb peace in the state, Mir Saifullah sought their cooperation in maintaining law and order for the peace and prosperity of the State.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel