Scuffle between Panthers Party MLAs and marshals in JK Assembly

Srinagar, Aug 31 (UNI) Ugly scenes marred the proceedings in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today when Panthers Party members and marshals exchanged blows as some opposition legislators grabbed mikes and nearly headed toward the treasury bench.

Soon after the extended Zero Hour was over and when calling attention notices were being taken up, Panthers Party members -- Balwant Singh Mankotia, Faqir Nath and Yashpaul Kundal -- entered the House wearing red gown-like apparel, demanding revocation of the suspension of their party colleague Harshdev Singh.

As the Panthers Party resumed their seats, Deputy Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone asked them to remove the red 'coats' first and then they would be allowed to speak. ''I will not allow this drama in the House,'' the chair shouted.

While Mr Nath and Mr Kundal removed the red cloth, Mr Mankotia refused to do so despite repeated pleas by the chair.

As Mr Lone ordered the marshals to remove the apparel, the Panthers Party members exchanged blows with them. The marshals tried to evict the members from the House as the chair tried to stop them by shouting on them that only their clothes should be removed.

The scuffle between Panthers Party legislators and marshals continued for some time, prompting members from the main opposition National Conference (NC) and the ruling coalition to interfere.

As the blows were being exchanged and marshals trying to evict the Panthers Party members from the House, NC legislator Javed Rana was seen grabbing the mike and almost headed toward the treasury bench, but was stopped by fellow party men. Some other members were also grabbing the mikes.

The NC members were soon on their feet in protest against the action of the marshals. The chair repeatedly tried to pacify the agitated members.

The opposition members shouted slogans against the ruling coalition members, saying the action was unprecedented in the history of the state Legislative Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker asked the members to maintain the decorum of the House. Mr Mankotia said even the NC members had protested in the well of the House some days ago wearing black gown-like apparel and they were not asked to remove the cloth.

They also demanded that their motion, seeking revocation of the suspension of Mr Singh, be taken up immediately in the House as today was the last day of the present session.

Leader of the Opposition Abdul Rahim Rather said the motion had been submitted by the Panthers Party members seven days ago and was yet to be decided. ''It is very surprising,'' he added.

With this, the NC and the Panthers Party members staged a walk-out, shouting ''Gunda gardi nahin chalegi (hooliganism will not be allowed)...save democracy.'' The chair later adjourned the House till 1530 hrs.

UNI