NC, Cong MLAs stage stormy walk-out
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 23: The Legislative Assembly today witnessed pandemonium during the Question Hour when entire Opposition was on its feet in protest against “war like situation” prevailing on the borders due to mortar shelling and firing by Pakistan causing “enormous losses” to the dwellers while ruling BJP MLAs once again shouted slogans against Pakistan demanding that a “condemnation resolution” should be passed in the House against the neighbouring country.
While the Opposition members shouted slogans against the PDP-BJP coalition Government for its failure to protect the people living in border areas, they were countered with ‘Pakistan Hai Hai’ (down with Pakistan) by the BJP MLAs. Ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislators maintained silence during ruckus in the Assembly.
As the Assembly proceedings began for the day, Opposition MLAs from National Conference, Congress and PDF were on their feet and gathered on front row voicing concern over what they called ‘Jangi Halaat’ (war-like situation) on the borders saying the people have been suffering heavy losses of property, crops, cattle etc but the State Government was doing nothing to help them.
Former Chief Minister and National Conference working president, Omar Abdullah was also present in the House during the ruckus but he remained seated.
Amidst uproar and shouting of slogans, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rigzin Jora said he and other party leaders toured the border areas and found that the people of border areas have suffered massive losses in shelling and firing during last five to six days.
“Civilian lives have been lost, crops were destroyed, large number of cattle have perished and property damaged. There was virtual “war-like situation” on the borders but the Government has been doing nothing to give relief to the people,” Jora lamented.
National Conference MLA and former Minister Mian Altaf voiced concern over the “situation developing on borders” and said the Government should take immediate steps to help the people in crisis.
As the National Conference and Congress MLAs were castigating the Government for its failure to come to the aid of border dwellers, all BJP MLAs were also on their feet shouting slogans against Pakistan.
This resulted into sloganeering and countering sloganeering between Opposition and BJP members.
The slogans of ‘Coalition Sarkaar Hai Hai’ (down with coalition Government) and ‘Nalayak Sarkaar Hai Hai’ (down with inefficient Government), raised by National Conference and Congress MLAs were countered by the BJP members with ‘Pakistan Hai Hai’ and ‘Pakistan Murdabad’. This resulted into complete pandemonium in the House.
National Conference MLA and former Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said BJP MP from Jammu, Jugal Kishore Sharma has claimed that the Centre has sanctioned Rs 450 crore for construction of bunkers for the border dwellers.
“Chief Minister (Mehbooba Mufti) says they don’t need bunkers but “close ties” with Pakistan. We want to know where does the Government stands as different voices are pouring in from the two partners,” Sagar said.
He added that in Kashmir also, security forces have started searches and restricted movement of the people ahead of Republic Day.
In the meantime, four Opposition MLAs reached close to Well of the House prompting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri to remark that this was not good. Veeri said the Opposition members should raise the issue one by one and the Government would respond.
However, after about 15 minutes of protests and sloganeering, the MLAs of National Conference and Congress including Omar Abdullah staged walk-out in the Assembly, leading to resumption of the Question Hour.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly after staging walkout, former Speaker and senior National Conference member, Mubarak Gul said the coalition leaders including Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, BJP MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have been speaking in different tones on the border situation.
“There has been massive shelling on the borders. The Government should take the House into confidence on prevailing situation and relief and rehabilitation measures. The Chief Minister should give a statement in the House,” Gul said.
He added that the Government should have made a statement on border situation suo-moto.
Ali Mohammad Sagar said during past four to five days, 12 persons have been killed and about 40,000 to 50,000 have migrated. The Government hasn’t made any arrangements to help the people, he added.
“The Chief Minister is also the Home Minister as well as chairperson of Unified Headquarters. She should make a statement in the House on the serious issue,” Sagar said.
Taking a dig at the BJP, Sagar wondered why their members were indulging in sloganeering as they are in power.
“Practically, the Government has done nothing for the border dwellers. The people are suffering. The Government is not responding to concerns raised by the Opposition for last four days. It seems they have no answers. They have no feedback on the situation. The people are angry and are protesting against the Government,” the veteran NC leader said.
Sagar added that National Conference too favoured dialogue between India and Pakistan and that they should live like peaceful neighbours.
He said on the pretext of January 26 searches, common man was being harassed in the Kashmir valley.
Congress MLA and former Minister Usmaan Majid said the people were feeling unsafe in war-like situation on the borders.
“Our jawans are getting killed… people have also died…the Government had promised construction of bunkers but hasn’t done anything so far…the Government has been claiming return of peace in the State but see what has been happening on the borders,” Usmaan said.
BJP MLA from Nowshera Ravinder Raina, who favoured passing of resolution against Pakistan in the Assembly, said Pakistan has been taught a lesson by the Indian security forces on the borders.
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