Chaos in J&K assembly over resolution proposing talks with Pakistan

Srinagar, Aug 27: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council was adjourned for the day on Wednesday after a pandemonium broke out over a resolution proposing to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Pakistan.

As soon as the House met for the Question Hour, ruling National Conference MLC Shehnaz Ganai raised a point of order over non-listing of a discussion, on her Calling Attention motion over Pakistan firing on International Border, in the list of business.

Ganai was supported by opposition members from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), National Panthers Party (NPP) and some Congress members who alleged discrimination and politicisation of the issue.

Chairman of the House Amrit Malhotra told the protesting members that the issue shall be taken for a discussion along with a resolution moved by NC MLC Devender Singh Rana.

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also backed talks with Pakistan

Rana had a moved a resolution to urge the Centre to resume dialogue with Pakistan to ensure peace and stability in the sub-continent and the state of Jammu and Kashmir in particular.

Yesterday, as the Calling Attention Motion was taken up in the House, the members had showed a unanimous concern over the issue of firing and urged the Chair for a discussion along with the resolution, which the Chair had agreed to.

However, the discussion over the Calling Attention motion was not listed in the business today, which prompted some of the members to stage a protest.

"The Calling Attention motion of Ganai was bypassed. It is very sad," Jehangir Mir of Congress said.

PDP members said there was a difference between motion and resolution and the House should amend the business list.

"Calling Attention motion was about ceasefire violations, where as the resolution is about Indo-Pak talks," Syed Asghar Ali of PDP said.

Naeem Akhtar of PDP alleged the ruling of the Chair, and hence the sanctity of the House, had been "violated" at the insistence of a particular person for political gains.

As the pandemonium continued, Deputy Chairman Javed Rana adjourned the House for ten minutes.

After the House met again, the Chairman said the discussion over the Calling Attention motion and the resolution would be taken up tomorrow and adjourned the House for the day.

PTI