Afzal clemency resolution in J-K Assembly stalled

Srinagar, Sep 28: A resolution seeking clemency for Afzal Guru, a death row convict in Parliament attack case, was stalled in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today (Sept 28) after pandemonium broke out leading to adjournment of the House without any business being transacted.

The private member's resolution submitted by Independent MLA Shiekh Abdul Rashid now lapses and cannot come up in the current nine-day Assembly session which ends next Teusday.

As Congress and BJP members clashed on two separate issues and nearly came to blows, fans and tables were overturned while one member climbed onto the table of an official in the pandemonium which led to two adjournments before it was adjourned for the day. They also stormed the well of the House.

Expressing his displeasure over the conduct of the members, Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone said the House has been converted into a "fish market".

"The scene created by you here is giving the impression that this august house has been converted into a fish market," Lone said.

The Speaker said the conduct of the agitating members was "unfortunate".

"Very unfortunate. This is not proper, not fair. You are violating the sanctity of this house," he said.

BJP members supported by Panthers Party MLAs were demanding that the resolution be dropped from the listed business.

Congress MLAs were demanding expulsion of BJP MLAs who were suspended from the party for cross-voting in the Legislative Council elections earlier this year.

Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said it was unfortunate that House proceedings were disrupted. "We would have liked the business of the day is taken up as per norms," he said.

When asked about his party's stand if the resolution had been taken up, he said, "We were told by the party president (Farooq Abdullah) to vote according to our conscience as it was a private member's resolution."

Opposition PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti said the "drama" in the Assembly was allegedly directed by National Conference while Congress and BJP were its "actors".

PTI