PDP stages walkout from State Council over Afzal Guru issue

JAMMU, Mar 1:

Opposition PDP today staged a walkout from Legislative Council demanding discussion over the situation arising out of execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru and return of his mortal remains to his family.

As the House assembled in the morning, PDP members Murtaza Ahmed Khan, Nizam-ud-Din Khatana, Syed Asgar Ali and others raised their demand of having discussion on Guru.

Chairman Amrit Malhotra urged the MLCs to maintain calm and not to disrupt the proceedings. He said the issue can be discussed later on.

However, PDP members continued their demand for discussion and kept on raising slogans.

After some time, they staged a walkout in protest of the denial to hold the discussion.

After the conclusion of the Question Hour, there was no minister available on the treasury benches as Zero Hour began, forcing the Chairman to adjourn the House for a brief period.

Some of the members pointed to the Chairman the absence of ministers in the House when National Conference legislator Shenaz Ganai was raising the issue pertaining to women empowerment.

The members of the House termed it as an insult and urged the Chairman to direct the Government to ensure presence of ministers during Zero Hour as members are raising important and crucial issues pertaining to people of State.

The House later resumed the proceedings after a brief adjournment. (AGENCIES)