Massive uproar over killings, fashion show
*BJP goes defensive, Cong moves adjournment motion
*Fashion show hotel owned by CM’s close relative: LoP
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 10: The Legislative Assembly today witnessed massive uproar over three issues including killings of three civilians in Billawar, fashion show at Gulmarg and assault on MLA Bani Rameshwar Singh at Billawar, leading to disruption of Question Hour for 25 minutes followed by a statement from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who said circumstances surrounding the deaths are under investigations and an inquiry has already been ordered into the fashion show which shouldn’t have happened at all.
click here to watch video
As soon as the Question Hour began, almost all the MLAs including those from National Conference, BJP, Congress, PDP, CPM and couple of Independents were on their feet but the issues of their protests were different.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Congress MLAs Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and Rameshwar Singh, an ally of the NC, had moved adjournments motion for a discussion on civilian killings in Billawar and attack on Singh while NC and PDP MLAs were agitated over fashion show held at Gulmarg. The BJP members while strongly denouncing the civilian killings wanted the Question Hour to run.
Congress MLAs and Rameshwar Singh, though being ruling NC’s allies, raked up the civilian killings in Billawar and seeking discussion on them sending the BJP into defensive mode as its MLAs kept shouting but displayed copies of Question booklet saying the Question Hour should go on.
BJP MLA RS Pathania claimed outside the Assembly that he has moved a resolution in the Assembly on Billawar killings but there was no mention by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather that it has been moved when he rejected adjournment motions of the Congress.
Rather made repeated attempts to cool down highly surcharged atmosphere in the Assembly but no side was ready to relent.
Giving his ruling on the adjournment motions moved by Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and Rameshwar Singh, Rather said he had received two adjournment motions over the issues of civilian killings and the attack on Bani MLA Rameshwar Singh.
“As per Rule 59, debates cannot be held in the House when a probe is ordered. Since the Lieutenant Governor has ordered a probe into the killings, the issue cannot be debated in the House. Similarly, concerning the Gulmarg fashion show, an inquiry has been ordered by Chief Minister, therefore, it cannot be discussed in the House,” the Speaker said.
BJP MLA from Billawar Satish Sharma accused the MLA Bani Rameshwar Singh of politicizing the issue in his constituency. This House should set an example by paying homage to the victims. There was even a small child, he said.
“The killings of civilians in Billawar have raised concerns. It should not be politicized. Instead, measures should be taken to eliminate those involved in the act,” Sharma said.
Congress MLA Irfan Hafiz said it was a grave human rights violation to kill a child.
The MLAs from NC, PDP, CPM and Independents demanded a probe into the facilitation of fashion show at Gulmarg during Ramzan.
PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz and NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq raised the issue and it was soon joined by almost their all party colleagues.
There were noisy scenes and verbal duels between members of NC-Congress, PDP, and BJP for over 25 minutes.
Rather tried several times to bring the House to order, stating that he would give time to members after the Question Hour, but disruptions continued.
Later, addressing the issues, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah derided the “attempts” to give “political colour” to the recent mysterious deaths in Kathua, and questioned the Jammu and Kashmir Police for stopping Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary from visiting the bereaved families, but allowing the Leader of the Opposition (Sunil Sharma) to meet them.
CPI (M) MLA MY Tarigami called on the Chief Minister to convey the House’s concerns over the incidents.
“Tarigami has rightly raised the point. As the Leader of the House, I want to record my concern and that of the House over the situation in Kathua. We condemn the killings of five innocent persons and express our condolences to the bereaved families,” Omar said.
Asserting that circumstances surrounding these deaths are under investigation, the Chief Minister said: “What happened, how it happened and why it happened is a matter of investigation which is going on. Discussing it in the House will not be appropriate.”
He also urged appropriate action against those responsible for manhandling of Independent MLA Rameshwar Singh, who visited a hospital in Billawar tehsil to meet the families of the deceased.
“An MLA (Rameshwar Singh) wanted to go there and what happened to him is known to everyone. This also needs to be looked into and appropriate action should be taken, as he did not go there to do politics,” Omar said.
Highlighting the “inconsistency” in police’s approach to the case, Omar expressed surprise that the Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma of the BJP was allowed to visit the bereaved families while Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was not.
“Attempts are being made to give a political colour (to the Kathua incidents). I am surprised that an LoP was allowed (to visit the bereaved families) but the Deputy Chief Minister (Surinder Choudhary) was stopped. I spoke to the Deputy CM on Sunday morning as he had made a plan to visit Kathua and informed the administration about his programme.
“But more police deployment was made outside his residence on Sunday, and he was told that his planned visit to the area was not appropriate at this juncture. He spoke to me over the phone and asked what he should do. I told him that we are not irresponsible people and if the administration has an apprehension that our visit might deteriorate the situation, it is better not to go there,” Omar said.
He said he told Choudhary to talk to the Jammu Zone Inspector General of Police, but the officer was busy with the visit of the Union Home Secretary. He then spoke to the SSP Kathua who told him that the situation was tense and that he should wait for a few days, Omar said.
“However, I fail to understand that if the situation was such that the Deputy CM couldn’t go there, how was the LoP allowed”? Omar asked, even as Sharma tried to reason with him about his visit.
“You (LoP) cannot reply because I am not asking you. My question is for those who allowed you (to visit Kathua) but stopped the Deputy CM,” Omar said.
“It seems we are under a new administration in which you (Sharma) have become the spokesperson of the police. I have placed the reality before the House and the police will have to give answers, not you,” he added.
Later, Sharma said he was constantly in touch with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and had visited the area to assure the people on behalf of the Home Minister.
Meanwhile, amid controversy over the Gulmarg fashion show held during the month of Ramzan, Omar said his Government would have never given permission for such an event in any month of the year.
“We have already ordered an inquiry into it but preliminary facts revealed that it was a private four-day event organised by a private party in a private hotel. The fashion show was held on March 7 and certain things have come to the fore, which hurt the sentiments of the people who are not wrong,” Omar informed the Assembly.
He said the “disappointment and concern” of the members are genuine.
He said those who organised the fashion show have not applied their mind, showed disregard to the public sentiment and paid no attention to where they are organising it and its timing.
“Some people are saying that such a show should not have happened in the month of Ramzan. After what I have seen, I am of the opinion that it should not have taken place any time of the year,” Omar said.
He said he wants to make it clear that there is no role of the Government in organising the event.
“It was a private party, organised at a private hotel and distributed invitations privately. No permission was sought from the Government, no money was taken from the Government, no Government infrastructure was used and no Government official was present in the event. Despite all this, the administration was asked that if the inquiry points to the violation of law, hand over the case to police who will do its investigation,” Omar said.
He said if permission would have been sought from the Government, it would not have given the permission for such an event. “If law has been violated, strict action will be taken.”
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA from Paddar Sunil Sharma alleged that the hotel in Gulmarg where fashion show was held belonged to a very close relative of Omar Abdullah.
“A short term liquor license had also been issued by Excise Department of Omar Government for the function,” he said.
He said it was impossible for the CM to be “unaware of the event” especially as the hotel where it took place is owned by his close relative.
Sharma said Omar visits Gulmarg every week and had also planned a trip there again.
MLA Bani Rameshwar Singh narrated in detail the incidents leading to assault on him in Billawar saying he raised the issue of all killings including Makhan Din and five others.
“If they (the BJP members) are tomorrow attacked in Srinagar, they shouldn’t complain. What action the DGP has taken in assault on me”? he asked.
Singh said he was in the National Conference but soon changed the stance saying he supports the NC and that is why they (the BJP members) are trying to silence his voice. He alleged that Pahari people are being harassed by police by being called to police stations for days together and their mobile phones are being seized.
He said those who have died are his relatives.
However, BJP MLA from Billawar Satish Sharma countered saying if the victims are his relatives why he is sitting in the House and hasn’t joined their cremation. Sharma said he visited houses of the victims while Singh is only playing the politics.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
