Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 30: Protesting against the registration of FIR against the Army men in connection with the alleged killing of two youth in firing in Shopian district on Saturday, BJP MLA from Akhnoor, Rajiv Sharma today demanded that the FIR against the Army be withdrawn.
Raising the issue through a Point of Information (PoI) in State Assembly during the debate on grants of Irrigation, Flood Control and PHE Ministry, the MLA said that the Government announced filing of FIR against Army in Shopian firing case and the same be withdrawn. “ When FIR was registered against the Army why not against those who attacked the Army”, he asked?
The MLA said that the Army men fired in self defense when they were attacked by the stone pelters.
This evoked a strong reaction from opposition National Conference and Congress members and they stood up and strongly countered the BJP MLA.
It may be recalled that two civilians were killed when Army personnel fired at a stone pelting mob in Shopian district of Kashmir valley on Saturday prompting Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to order inquiry into the incident.
NC MLA from Pahalgam, Altaf Ahmed Wani (Kaloo) said that this way BJP was challenging the credibility of Chief Minister who has ordered the probe. The opposition members also shouted shame, shame on Government. They alleged that there was a confusion between the coalition partners regarding the incident.
NC MLA and former Minister ,Ali Mohammed Sagar said that Chief Minister has said that the FIR will be taken to logical conclusion and inquiry will be conducted in 15 days and you are giving a confusing statements by demanding withdrawal of case.
The NC MLA said this way you are questioning the credibility of CM who ordered a time bound probe.
They were also supported by Congress MLAs G M Saroori and Usman Majid who too stood up from their seats to counter BJP.
During the debate Deputy Speaker, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi issued directives to Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Abdul Rehman Veeri to get the matter verified that why the Health Services Department, Udhampur has failed to provide an ambulance to a newly born dead baby in the hospital and if allegation of MLA proved true the Medical Superintendent Udhampur be placed under suspension.
The issue was raised through a Point of Information (PoI) by MLA Chenani, Deena Nath Bhagat who said that a SC pregnant lady was brought to DH Udhampur where she delivered a dead baby. The MLA while expressing his serious concern over the functioning of Health Department said that the family requested for an ambulance to take the dead baby to their home for burial but the hospital authorities refused the same and later they packed the baby into a box and took it to their home for burial.
He said that the ambulances have been kept in the exhibition in Director Health Services Office and not given to patients in emergencies.
The MLA demanded action against the erring officers for showing a casual approach towards the case.
Taking the cognizance of the matter, the Deputy Speaker asked Veeri to inquire the matter and take punitive action against the MS, Udhampur.
During the debate PDP MLA from Kokernag, Abdul Rahim Rather also lodged a strong protest in the House and refused to take part in the discussion when his name was not called by the Deputy Speaker.
The agitated MLA stood up from his seat and lodged a strong protest saying that he is always being ignored and not given time to speak on grants which he doesn’t know why. He said that he will not participate in the debate when Nazir Gurezi asked him to speak. However after the insistence of Deputy Speaker and his party colleagues he took part in the discussion.
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