Excelsior Correspondent
—Excelsior/Amin War
SRINAGAR, Aug 26: National Panthers Party (NPP) today staged a walk out from the Legislative Assembly after were disallowed to raise the issue of cross border firing by Pakistani troops in Jammu.
Immediately after the House met today, NPP members were on their feet demanding a discussion on cross border firing. However, Speaker Mubarak Gul advised them to resume their seats as he will allow them to raise the issue after Question-Hour.
The NPP members after resuming their seats for sometime, again got up and demanded immediate discussion since the issue was very serious.
Later, they stormed into the well of the House, raising anti-Pakistan slogans.
They also raised slogans against the NDA Government, led by BJP at the Centre and State Government for their failure to restore peace on the borders, where people have been killed, injured and displaced.
However, assurance by Speaker, NPP again went to their seats.
But after some time they again wanted immediate discussion which was disallowed by the speaker. Later, the NPP members walked out from the House. Before walking out, Harshdev Singh said the situation is cause of concern for entire country. “It is astonishing that Government is not serious and has not taken any step to mitigate the problems of the border people,” he said.
Singh said that Centre and State Government has to act and centre has more responsibility. Targetting the BJP at Centre for adopting aggessive posture during UPA Government and now sitting silent over the Pakistani shelling when in power, he said.
Later, while replying to discussion on border firing, Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo said “Our security forces are not sleeping. If there is one casualty on our side, there are several causalities on their (Pakistan) side.”
The Minister said that as many as 5,000 families of 21 villages in R S Pura, 9 in Bishnah and 15 villages of Jammu tehsil which fall within 1 kilometer radius of International Border have been affected due to cross border firing.
Kichloo said that over 15,000 persons have been shifted to safer places temporarily at R S Pura, Bishnah and Jammu with the provision of basic facilities.
Responding to the demands regarding construction of 2-3 bunkers in every border village, the Minister said that the District Administration has already been directed to take necessary steps for the safety of the people and one bunker will be constructed in every village within a week.
The Government has also taken initiatives for provision of land at safer places for the border people under Rehabilitation package. Revenue Department has been directed to provide 5 marlas of land to the families living near Zero line who are affected by shelling.
Deputy Speaker, Sartaj Madni suggested passing a resolution by the House pressing both India and Pakistan to stop border firing and restore peace.
Prof Chaman Lal Gupta called for collective efforts by Central and State Government to defuse the border tension. He sought adequate compensation for the affected people.
Gupta asked the Government to give befitting reply to Pakistani shelling. Accusing Pakistan of being irresponsible, he said: “Talks are held with those who are responsible.”
The MLA Ashwani Sharma strongly protested the Pakistan firing which has caused heavy loss of life and property on the border. He demanded proper rehabilitation and compensation to the affected people. He also demanded allotment of land to each family at safer places to shift at the times of emergencies.
The BJP MLA Ashok Khajuria said that the way Prime Minister is thinking, it will take time but Pakistan will ultimately behave.
The MLA said that the troops have no longer to get clearance from New Delhi as the policy is clear that the troops have to respond effectively to any firing from across the border. “Troops have been told to take any action whatever they want”, he added.
Congress MLA Slathia said that bullet for bullet policy is no solution and urged centre to re-start the dialogue process with Pakistan and resolve the border firing issue. He said that the administration response to the situation has been quick. He, however, said that the compensation provided by the government is insufficient.
The PDP MLA, Sardar Rafiq Khan said that the people of the border areas were happy when Modi invited Nawaz Sharif for swearing in ceremony but when the talks were called off they are apprehensive. He said that the border people who suffered in shelling have not been properly rehabilitated.
BJP MLA Sham Choudhary accused Government of its failure for not providing relief to the border people and demanded that they should be provided free medical aid.
MLA Yashpal Kundal castigated the BJP and asked them are these the good days they were talking about. He said that the border people were promised 5 marla plots near the highway but they were not provided.
Independent MLA Engineer Rashid opposed the bullet for bullet policy and demanded resumption of dialogue process with Pakistan for the resolution of Kashmir issue.
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