Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 30: The majority of the Opposition leaders in Legislative Assembly today said that Government has failed to stop killings in the State while some of them raised questions over Government’s proposal to revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from parts of the State as they are still vulnerable to militant attacks.
Speaking on the obituary references in Legislative Assembly, National Panthers Party leader Harshdev Singh while paying tributes to those who were killed in a recent militant attack at Samba and Kathua in Jammu province, said that these areas are still vulnerable to militant attacks.
Singh said that the State Government is saying that it will start revocation of AFSPA from Samba, district. “The Samba militant attack is an eye-opener for the State Government, he said.
The NPP leader said that they should refrain from making demands of revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from parts of the State as situation is not conducive.
Singh said that Samba is still an infiltration route for militants and recently tunnels were also detected in the area.
Singh said it was alarming that militants were able to travel 35 kilometres without being noticed while carrying out the twin attacks in Jammu region last week. He said: “Our security apparatus failed to apprehend them.”
He condemned the Kishtwar riots and the killings in Shopian and Gool areas.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti paid tributes to the civilians, police and Army personnel who were killed recently in the State. “It is unfortunate that whenever we meet we only discuss unfortunate incident that happened in the State like Bomai, Shopian, Afzal Guru. This time we were expecting to discuss the problems faced by the people of the State but unfortunately we are again discussing such issues which should not have happened”, said Mehbooba.
Mehbooba said that with these killings, people of the State are the biggest losers. “We were expecting to get some relief from the recent meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and his Pakistani counterpart. But we are at loss, there also and here also”, She said.
Mehbooba said that Army fired in Markundal Bandipora and Government did nothing except issuing a statement. “Firing happened in Gool and Government gave a judgement that Molvi was behind it” , She said adding that Shopian remained shut for 22 days over the killings and now they have resumed their routine work as nobody came forward to listen to them.
“We can’t give them justice, our people have been orphaned. Afzal Guru’s body was not given; in 2010, 120 people were killed, people were killed in Shopian and nothing is happening and nothing is going to happen”, said Mehbooba.
CPIM leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said the cycle of civilian killings and helplessness in the State has to end. He called for an exclusively debate in the Legislative Assembly over the incidents of day to day killings ruthlessly going on in various parts of the State adding that ordering inquiries only has become meaningless now.
Tarigami said people have lost trust and confidence on the whole system including administration and Legislature and are laughing on announcing enquiries on each and every killing incident. He said people are feeling themselves helpless adding that if the prevailing tendency of helplessness and erosion of trust among the people is not addressed appropriately, it will be big causality and cause irreparable damage to the democratic values in the State.
Tarigami said that incidents of killings and bloodshed and meaningless inquiries on them since 2010, that have taken place in various parts of the State, has created a perception of deceits and lie among the people which has dented prestige of the democratic set up and have lowered integrity of the State Legislature. He said democracy demands that “we should conduct our introspection and be accountable before the people for our responsibilities and deeds.”
National Conference additional general secretary Dr Mustafa Kamal said that entire House should go for root cause of ongoing bloodshed and the civilian killings. “Unless we will not find the political solution of the Kashmir problem, the killings, whether the security forces, civilians and the militants would continue,” he said.
Kamal also said that no political party or the leader should stop those voices who are talking about the accession with India. “The Chief Minister is telling the truth about the accession and we have to communicate the people about the accession.
The Panther’s party leader Harshdev Singh interrupted the speech of Dr Kamal and said that no one should talk about the accession which is final. The Speaker also intervened and told Singh to maintain calm and allow Dr Kamal to Speak.
Kamal also said that those who are opposing revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act must know that the AFSPA has failed to prevent the violent incidents and time has reached to revoke the law.
Congress senior leader Mohammad Sharief Niaz said that when the elections are coming closer, some parties are desperate to divide the societies on the bases of region for the vote bank politics.
Sharief also said that Article 370 is a bridge between the State and the Centre and there would be no compromise on the Article. “Not only 370, the accession with India is final and permanent and there would be no compromise on the accession,” he said.
“The Kishtwar and Muzzafarnagar incidents are the eye opener for the State Security Agencies to remain vigilant to foil all such attempts,” said Sharief.
BJP leader Jugal Kishore Sharma said that Article 370 should be removed from the Indian constitution. He said that the article is a roadblock to the development of the State. He also said that those States are more progressive which have no Article 370 and it needs to be revoked. The BJP leader also said that those who are taking revocation of AFSPA should learn lesson from Hiranagar and Samba incidents.
Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir said that Jammu and Kashmir is a mini India with people belonging to different religions and adopting different cultures.
Mir also appealed all political parties to work jointly and rise above political interests for putting an end to killings in the State. He said all the political parties have role in this which they should play responsibly.
Earlier at the beginning of the session, the House passed the obituary reference on the demise of Dharam Chander Prashant, EX-MP, Daya Krishan Kotwal, EX-MLC and Khawaja Ghulam Nabi Shora, EX-Secretary J&K Legislative Assembly.
Moving the reference, Speaker, Mubarak Gul paid rich tributes to these personalities who, he said, worked tirelessly for the betterment of masses and made valuable contribution in public life which will be remembered forever.
Gul described Dharam Chander Prashant as man of knowledge and wisdom known for his good qualities who represented J&K in Rajya Sabha. He said Prashant will always be remembered for the services he rendered for the prosperity and upliftment of the weaker sections of the State throughout his life.
The Speaker described Daya Krishan Kotwal as a towering leader who cherished the values of secularism, humanity and probity during his entire lifetime and was respected by one and all. With his death, Gul remarked, the State has lost a veteran and seasoned politician who always gave preference to social relations and human values irrespective of his political affiliations.
Gul said late Khawaja Ghulam Nabi Shora was a strong administrator and law luminary with the blend of intellect, commitment and dedication. He said he will always be remembered for his dedication commitment and outstanding performance, especially during his tenure as Secretary Assembly.
Gul also prayed for speedy recovery of ailing members, including Choudhry. Mohammad Aslam and Maulana Iftikar Hussain Ansari, who have not been keeping well for some time.
Although the proceedings were limited to obituary references for former legislators Dharam Chander Prashant Ex-MP, Daya Krishan Kotwal Ex-MLC and a former secretary Ghulam Nabi Shora who passed away recently, but the members of both the ruling and Opposition parties raised other issues particular the civilian killings and recent militant attack at Samba.
Members cutting across party affiliations today paid rich tributes on the obituary reference moved by Speaker. Winding up the speeches, Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand described the former lawmakers as the persons those above personal needs and aspirations and worked for the welfare of common masses. He said the contribution made by D C Parshant, Daya Krishan Kotwal and G. N. Shora would be long remembered as they left their personal comforts for the betterment and welfare of their people.
Abdul Rahim Rather described Daram Chander Prashant as noble soul who made it to the Parliament as an independent candidate and contributed there which they are all proud of. He said Daya Krishan Kotwal was man of integrity who are now very rare in our society. He said Kotwal worked tirelessly for the welfare of the society and whose contribution for communal harmony in Doda District will always be remembered. He also paid tributes to late G N Shora.
Mehbooba Mufti, Professor Chaman Lal Gupta, Tarigami, Harshdev Singh, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Er. Abdul Rashid, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, Jugal Kishore and Ashwani Sharma also spoke on the obituary reference and paid tributes to Daram Chander Prashant, Daya Krishan Kotwal and G N Shora.
The House observed 2 minute silence in memory of the three men and all those who were killed recently across the State.
Earlier at the beginning of the session, Legislative Assembly today witnessed ‘ slogan shouting’ for few minutes by members of the National Panthers Party (NPP).
When Speaker Mubarak Gul took up the obituary reference on the first day of the seven-day-long brief session, members of NPP entered the House raising slogans.
They were demanding dismissal of the National Conference and Congress coalition Government in the State, alleging that it has failed on all fronts.
Without referring to particular incident, the members were shouting ‘stop innocent killings in the State’. However, they later resumed their seats.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel