NC tries to raise Lebanon situation in J

Srinagar, July 31 (UNI) Opposition National Conference(NC) and Communist Party of India (M) members today demanded the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly adopt a resolution condemning the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, particularly the killings of women and children.

Assembly Speaker Tara Chand said the adjournment given by the NC members on the Israel-Lebanon situation was not admissible under the rules. However, NC and CPI(M) members insisted that they be allowed to speak.

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather wanted the House to condemn Israel for the attacks on civilians.

''We do not want the Jammu and Kashmir government or the Government of India to attack Israel which was not possible,'' he said adding we just want the Centre speak about it. If the Indian government will not speak now on Israeli attacks on Lebanon, it will create some doubts in the minds of people, Mr Rather said.

When the Speaker did not allow them to raise the issue and said it concerned another country, the NC members were very agitated and questioned how the House condemned the 9/11 terrorist attack at the World Trade Center in the US.

The Israeli attacks on Lebanon was ''state terrorism'' and the House must condemn it, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar of NC and Mr Mohammad Yousuf Targami (CPI-M) said.

''Jammu and Kashmir is a Muslim-majority state and we must raise our voice against the killings of our ''brothers and sisters'' in Lebanon,'' Mr Sagar said.

As the NC members were not listening to the repeated pleas of the Speaker to take their seats, Mr Rather said they would allow other business only when Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad assures he would convey the feelings of the House to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Mr Azad said it was not only the opposition in the state which was concerned over the issue, but the entire country.

''We cannot debate on what is happening in foreign countries,'' he said adding there were ways to convey the concerns of the people to another country.

He said he would speak to Dr Singh and convey the feelings of the House.

UNI BAS PA AT BD1446