JAMMU : Noisy scenes were witnessed today in J&K Assembly as Congress MLAs staged walkout protesting against the alleged failure by the government to airlift the body of a policeman killed in terrorist attack in Shopian on Monday.
“Even on the third day after the killing, the government has not been able to airlift the body of the martyred cop to his hometown in Leh,” leader of Congress Legislative party Nawang Rigzin Jora said.
He said that in absence of government’s initiative, the family of the slain policeman has managed to arrange for airlifting of the body.
“It is a matter of shame that the family was forced to purchase the air ticket so that the body of their son reaches home,” Jora said.
Alleging that the lack of initiative amounts to disrespect towards the martyr, he said: “The family has been waiting for the body so they can lay it to rest as per the rituals but this shows the insensitivity of the government as the body has not been airlifted.”
Replying to the allegation, Minister for Social Welfare Bali Bhagat said the body would be airlifted this afternoon on air India flight.
“If they have purchased the ticket government will refund it,” he said.
Unsatisfied with the government’s response, Congress MLAs demanded that the body be airlifted on a special air plane and staged a walkout in protest.
However, Congress legislator from Banihal Vilar Rasool did not take part in the walkout.
“Our government gives full respect to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country. Our heart goes for the families of these brave policemen who lost their lives while defending the country,” Bhagat said.
He said the inclement weather delayed airlifting the body.
“As you know the weather conditions were bad which did not allow the aircrafts to take off. Now the weather has improved and we have made arrangements for a special flight to airlift the body of Shabir Hussain to his native place”, Bhagat said.
On April 6, militants had gunned down three policemen — Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmad and Constables Shabir Hussain and Nazeer Ahmad Wani in Amshipora village in Shopian district of south Kashmir.
They had gone to the village to investigate a criminal case when the militants attacked them. (AGENCIES)
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