Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 28: While the Opposition members staged a walkout from the Assembly against lathicharge on protestors belonging to reserved categories, the PDP MLA held Delhi responsible for deteriorating situation in J&K and BJP MLA defended Narendra Modi Government saying Pakistan was common enemy of all nationalist forces in the State.
As the NC leader, Omar Abdullah completed his speech on the grants of Departments falling under Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, Speaker Kavinder Gupta asked Choudhary Qamar Hussain of PDP to speak on grants, Cong MLA Aijaz Khan stood up to raise a Point of Information but Speaker didn’t respond to it and asked Hussain to go ahead. Supporting Khan, NC and Congress MLAs stood up and protested. They said people belonging to reserved categories who were protesting in the city today were lathicharged and Government should make a statement in the House as it is an important issue.
As Speaker did not pay any attention, the Opposition members came towards Well in protest and some of them also trooped inside making arguments with Speaker. Intervening NC leader, Omar Abdullah stood up and raised the issue. He, while pointing towards Speaker said this does not mean that “I have spoken and no Opposition member can speak now”. “The member raised the Point of Information and he should be given chance to speak”, he added.
On the intervention of Omar, the Opposition members went to their seats and Aijaz Khan raised the issue of protestors. He said there was a protest on reservations today and the reservations to the category employees be restored. The Chief Minister had also assured that the reservations will continue but the people who were protesting demanding continuance of reservations in services were lathicharged, he alleged.
However, Minister of R&B and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri said the issue is in Supreme Court and that Cabinet Minister, Ch. Zulfkar has gone there to hold talks with the protestors. Not satisfied with the reply Khan demanded suspension of officers responsible for lathicharge. The opposition members again went into well and protested.
They were supported by NC’s Devender Rana also. Protesting Javed Rana of NC said that over 300 people have been injured in lathicharge. Minister of R&B again stood up and said that one Minister had gone there and he is assessing the situation. However, Devender Rana wanted to know when the Government will make a statement in the House on the issue.
Javed Rana said that the protest was peaceful and there was unprovoked lathicharge from police. Not satisfied with Minister’s reply opposition raised slogans reserved categories be given justice and some of the members of both Congress and NC staged walkout in protest.
Later, participating in the debate on grants Javed Mustafa Mir of PDP held Delhi responsible for happenings in the State since 1947. He said since 1947 GoI has never given justice to the State and the promises made from time to time were never fulfilled.
He said despite that they (GoI) are saying why people are protesting in Kashmir and why there is stone pelting. The seeds of present problem in the State were sown by India itself, he alleged.
He said till State is not given justice the situation will not change. He said every one wants peace should prevail but how it will be restored. “My father laid down his life to protect the Constitution and my brother was also killed”, he added.
He appealed the Government of India not to conspire.
However, Ravinder Raina of BJP hailed the role of security forces in curbing unrest in the State. He said neither Omar Abdullah is responsible for 2010 nor Mehbooba Mufti is responsible for 2016 and it is work of Pakistan and secessionists and we have to fight them collectively.
There was a verbal duel between Raina and Engineer Rashid who tried to interrupt him a number of times.
Raina said India is proud of patriotic people like Mohammed Maqbool Sherwani who laid down his life for nation and such people deserve to be given Bharat Ratan.
He said it was former Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee who declared ceasefire on holy month of Ramzan in the State and also took a bus to Lahore for peace with neighboring country along with Omar Abdullah who was also a Minister in his Government at that time.
He said in 2014 Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to Kashmir on Diwali to be with flood hit people of Valley. He said whether it was the Congress rule at Delhi or BJP, both tried to hold talks with Pakistan for normalizing the relations but Pakistan can’t be trusted.
He said whether it was unrest in 2008 or 2016 and security forces laid down their lives in Kashmir but it was BJP Government which made successful surgical strikes on terrorist camps in PoK.
He said in Kashmir it is a fight between national and anti national forces and our common enemy is Pakistan. He appealed all political parties to come on a single platform and fight out the enemy. He said had there been no security forces, the leaders could not have been able to move freely.
Raina said Kashmir is not a political problem but there is problem within Kashmir and the territory of State which is under illegal occupation of Pakistan and China is to be retrieved.
Aijaz Ahmad Mir while participating in the discussion complemented the Government for taking innovate initiatives for the development of the State and called for proper implementation of Rehabilitation Policy for people returning via Nepal route. He demanded compensation for police personnel killed, injured while performing their duties.
Usman Majeed sought details from the Government regarding persons killed, injured and property damaged during unrest in Bandipora Constituency. He also called for filling of various vacant posts in the departments and speeding up of SRO implementation.
Rajeev Jasrotia complimented the Government for taking the State to new heights in terms of development and providing benefits to the people under various welfare schemes.
Aga Syed Ruhullah said education sector must be given focused attention and effective steps needs to be taken to ensure quality education to the students.
Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen said the development and political uncertainty cannot go hand in hand and development is subjected to the peace and prosperity of the region. He called for dialogue between India and Pakistan.
Shah Mohammad Tantray said the former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had a vision to develop Poonch area into a prime tourist attraction and steps need to be taken in this regard.
Nawang Rigzin Jora asked the Government to take up uncompleted tourism projects across the State. He said the Government should also take necessary steps for the air terminal construction and acquire land from Air Force in Ladakh region. He also pleaded for opening Siachen to attract adventure tourists to the region.
Daleep Singh Parihar demanded construction of Bhalesa to Bhaderwah circuit road and development of various other roads to boost tourism industry in his constituency. He demanded Fire Brigade Station and vehicles for Gandoh Police Station and advocated for further enhancing CDF and other related perks for the MLAs.
Mohammad Akbar Lone urged for releasing youth detained during Kashmir unrest and to review cases in which they were detained under PSA. He demanded special compensation for those who were injured during the unrest.
Bashir Ahmed Dar thanked the Government for bringing normalcy in Kashmir valley after long period of unrest. He asked to explore tourism potential of Kupwara and take necessary steps to develop tourist infrastructure and urged to take effective steps to curb the menace of drugs to save our youth.
Er Abdul Rashid asked Government for developing tourism infrastructure in his constituency.
Raja Manzoor said the issues of border districts, especially Karnah, Keran area of Kupwara district should be considered for their addressal. He also lauded the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and her cabinet colleagues for providing good governance to the people of the State.
G M Saroori demanded that Government should fulfill its promises by approving model hospitals in each district and must consider the Chenab Valley development projects on priority. He also said the tourism related projects initiated in the Chenab Valley must be taken up and completed within stipulated time.
Jeevan Lal hailed the initiatives of the Government for taking several measures to develop the untapped areas of the State. He lauded the Government for initiating several measures to uplift the socio-economic profile of the youth, especially living in rural areas.
Choudhary Qamar Hussain complimented the Government for brining dawn of development to the State.
Gulzar Ahmad Wani said the Government must take immediate steps to work for the uplift of the socio-economic profile of the State.
Choudhary Mohammad Akram said the former Chief Minister had a vision to develop Pir Panchal region and demanded for the up-gradation of Mughal Road on priority.
Javid Ahmad Rana said several initiatives should be taken to consider concerned MLAs for various developmental works in their constituencies.
Mumtaz Ahmad Khan demanded for creation of Gool Tourism Development Authority to boost the tourism infrastructure of the area and Bus Stand in his constituency.
Abdul Majeed Padder complemented the Chief Minister for taking various development initiatives in his constituency and demanded up-gradation of Noorabad Development Authority.
Dina Nath Bhagat complemented the Government for establishing International Yoga Centre and urged for paying special attention to improve tourism infrastructure in his constituency. He said the concrete steps are needed to curb the menace of Drug smuggling. He also advocated for enhancing CDF.
Mohammed Amin Bhat demanded for creation of Devsar Development Authority and filling of vacant posts in various departments in his constituency.
Shamim Firdous demanded escort vehicle for her protection keeping in view the sensitiveness of the area. She called for rehabilitation of youth who got detained during unrest for different reasons.
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