PDP MLA marshaled out as MLAs disrupt Question Hour

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 18: Opposition PDP MLA from Lolab Abdul Haq Khan was today marshaled out of the Legislative Assembly on the directions of Speaker Mubarak Gul after he trooped into middle of the House during Question Hour raising the issue of ill persons in snow bound Machhil in Kupwara district while MLAs from BJP, NPP and JSM staged a walk-out demanding ‘Duggar Channel’ for Jammu.
As soon as proceedings of the Question Hour began, some of the MLAs from the Opposition parties were on their feet raising their issues.
BJP MLAs including Ashok Khajuria and Jugal Kishore, NPP legislators-Harshdev Singh, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Yashpal Kundal and JSM MLA Ashwani Sharma were on their seats with some of them reaching the front row demanding setting up of `Duggar Channel’ for Jammu.
Shouting slogans like `Duggar Channel Shuru Karo, Shuru Karo’ and `Jammu Ko Duggar Channel Do, Channel Do’, the BJP, NPP and JSM MLAs indulged in massive shouting.
Simultaneously, PDP MLAs Abdul Haq Khan, Javed Mustafa Mir and Rafi Ahmad Mir were also on their feet shouting slogans.
Speaker Mubarak Gul told the protesting members to take their seats with the assurance that he would allow them to speak after the Question Hour.
“Under which rule you are speaking? Have you given any notice? Quote the rule under which you want to speak,” the Speaker told the protesting MLAs showing them the rule book governing proceedings of the House but this had no impact on the agitated legislators, who continued to protest and shout slogans.
The Speaker, however, went ahead with Question Hour and asked BJP MLA Jugal Kishore to ask his question, which had been listed at Serial No. 1 in the Question Hour. Mr Kishore raised his question but other MLAs of his party along with NPP and JSM legislators continued to shout demanding Duggar Channel for Jammu.
BJP Legislature Party leader Ashok Khajuria said the setting up of `Duggar Channel’ was the demand of entire Jammu region and the State Government should ask the Centre to concede it.
After about 10 minutes protest, some of the BJP, NPP and JSM MLAs staged a walk-out in the House shouting slogans in favour of `Duggar Channel’.
However, PDP MLA Abdul Haq Khan continued shouting in the middle of the House demanding airlifting of patients trapped in snowbound Machhil area of Kupwara district.
The Speaker advised the PDP MLA to take his seat but he continued shouting prompting Mr Gul to ask the Marshals to take him out.
Mr Khan was then marshaled out of the House.
Speaker directed the Marshals not to allow Mr Khan in the House for full day. The direction provoked the PDP MLAs, who were on front row demanding that their colleague be called back to the House.
Mr Gul told them that the Question Hour is equally important and the members should understand its importance and not disrupt it. “Haq Khan was repeatedly trooping into the middle of the House. This is wrong,” he said.
Independent MLA from Langet Engineer Rashid then continued shouting near the Well of the House but his voice was not audible.
The Speaker warned Mr Rashid not to disrupt the Question Hour saying he would give him time to speak. At 10.15 am, the Speaker allowed Haq Khan to return the House resulting into calm and smooth functioning of the Question Hour.
Raising the issue after the Question Hour, Mr Khan said eight to 10 persons have fallen ill in snow bound Machhil area, which was cut off from rest of the State. He added that even the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara had requisitioned helicopter for evacuating the patients either to Kupwara or Srinagar but it hasn’t been provided.
He claimed that a woman had died for want of evacuation.
Mr Khan appealed to the Government to immediately arrange helicopter for evacuation of the patients from Machhil.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saifullah Mir, who also represents Kupwara Assembly segment, said he would respond shortly.

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