NC, Cong stage walkout from both Houses

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 27

Both Houses witnessed noisy scenes and ruckus today as the National Conference (NC), Congress and others staged a walkout, demanding the report of the probe into civilian killings in Handwara last month and shortage of ration in the state.

Soon after the House assembled, members of the NC and Congress raised the issue of Handwara killings, holding placards saying “State terrorism hai hai”.

Other members, including CPM member MY Tarigami, Engineer Rashid and Hakeem Mohammad Yasin joined the members and sought the government’s report on the killings in Handwara.

They raised slogans like “qatilon ko pesh karo” as they continued their protest. They entered the well of the House even though Speaker Kavinder Gupta said the inquiry report on Handwara killings would be received within two days.

Rashid was the first to enter the well of the House, followed by Congress members. They also raised slogans like “Bhashan nahin ration do”.

Soon afterwards, NC members led by Ali Mohammad Sagar entered the well of the House. The ruckus continued for more than 45 minutes till Question Hour was scheduled to conclude.

The security staff of the Assembly had tough time in preventing the agitating members from creating any trouble in the House.

Amid uproarious scenes, Question Hour continued normally even though some questions of opposition members could not be taken up.

In the Upper House, as soon as proceedings were set to begin, NC members started raising slogans against the coalition government and wanted a debate on the killing of five civilians in Handwara.

The Congress sought a debate on ration shortage. NC lawmakers displayed posters of a Handwara youth killed in firing and raised slogans against the government.

The Chairman of the House, Haji Anayat Ali, requested the members to sit down and allow Question Hour to be held. Despite the uproar, Question Hour continued in the House.

As the ruckus continued, minister Sajad Gani Lone reminded the NC of the 2010 killings and told its members that “their hands are red with blood”.

Opposition members staged a walkout, but later returned during a discussion on the motion of thanks on the Governor’s address.