BJP protests in J&K Assembly over terror attack

Jammu, April 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today witnessed noisy scenes as BJP members shouted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded a resolution in the House condemning Pakistan for yesterday's terrorist attacks in the Valley .

BJP members, carrying placards with "Big No to AFSPA removal" and "Pakistan Hai Hai" (down with Pakistan) stormed the well of the House as they demanded a resolution condemning Pakistan "for sponsoring terrorism in India" must be passed.

"Pakistan is a terrorist state which has been sponsoring terrorism in India. The terrorist attacks that took place yesterday must act as an eye-opener for those who advocate the revocation of AFSPA," BJP member Ravinder Raina said.

"Our security personnel are killed, innocent civilians are killed by the Pakistan sponsored terrorists. This House must send a strong message by passing a resolution condemning Pakistan for its acts," BJP member Dr Gagan Bhagat said.

Later while speaking to reporters Ravinder Raina said, "The situation is not ripe for the revocation of AFSPA from any part of the state. Pakistan is continuously stabbing us in the back".

Pakistan is a terrorist state which has been sponsoring terrorism: BJP

He said that India need to strengthen the hands of security forces to take on terrorism "with an iron fist". "The need of the hour is to strengthen the hands of security forces to give a befitting reply to the terrorists. We cannot take such type of track lightly," he said.

The demand by the ruling coalition partner BJP not to revoke AFSPA from the state comes a day after Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, in a written reply, reiterated that phased withdrawal of AFSPA would take place from "peaceful areas".

Meanwhile, the House was adjourned for ten minutes after a video journalist working with a local news channel suffered a heart attack while covering the proceedings from the Press Gallery of the Legislative assembly.

PTI