Election of LC chairman, Khandoor blasts to dominate JK Legislature

Srinagar, Aug 19 (UNI) Fire and blasts in an Ammunition depot at Khandoor forcing thousands to leave their homes, alleged Human Rights violations and election of Legislative Assembly chairman are among the main issues which will dominate proceedings in the week-long session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly beginning tomorrow.

However, the coalition government will table a newly-devised policy framework on employment generation ''Employment Policy-2007'' besides other bills, during the session.

Opposition parties, besides some ruling party members have already made their intentions clear that they will raise the issue of fire and subsequent hundreds of blasts in the 21 Field Ordnance Depot at Khandroo in south Kashmir, leaving 21 people dead and 30 others wounded besides forcing thousands of residents to leave their homes.

They have demanaded shifting of arms and ammunition depots from the civilian areas. Some of them have alleged that government has failed to meet the challenge and those migrated have not been provided any relief.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a partner in the coalition government headed by Congress Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, has been demanding reduction of troops from the valley.

The main opposition party -- the National Conference (NC) -- is likely to raise the issue of alleged Human Rights (HR) violations by the security forces.

The party raised the issue through an adjournment motion on the last day of the two-day session on July 20-21. However, the Chief Minister gave a detailed reply saying that the level of rights violations has come down.

The NC will is also expected to forcefully raise the issue of election of chairman of the Legislative Council (LC), which they describe as ''unconstitutional and illegal''.

PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Lone was elected chairman of the LC on July 20 shortly before the council was adjourned for the recess.

However, the NC challenged the election of Mr Lone alleging that they were not allowed to participate in polling.

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