Pandemonium in J&K Assembly; opposition protests, raises slogans over civilian killings, Kashmir situation

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a noisy scene for the second consecutive day after members of Opposition parties raised slogans against killing of civilians and security situation in Kashmir. 

Soon after the Governor walked in to address the joint session, Congress and National Conference (NC) members raised slogans against the state government and flashed placards against government's failures.

Opposition members disrupted proceedings in the Assembly after the Speaker disallowed discussions on civilian killings and a spike in militancy-related incidents in the valley.

The opposition members stood up from their seats and caused an uproar as Speaker Kavinder Gupta disallowed an adjournment motion moved by the National Conference (NC), Congress and Yusuf Tarigami of the CPI(M). 

Not heeding the sloganeering, Vohra continued with his the address. But the entire opposition walked out on him.

"The appointment of the special representative by the union government to hold talks with the people belonging to all shades of opinion is recognition of the concern for widening the constituency of peace and include even those who may have contrary ideological convictions," Vohra said.

Appealing to all those who had earlier refused to be part of the peace process, Vohra urged them to come forward and accept the Special Representative's offer for engaging in dialogue.

The House was scheduled to take up a discussion on Governor NN Vohra's address made in the legislature on Tuesday.

Earlier, the National Conference submitted a memorandum to the governor, saying the present government has brought the state to a pass where the identity of the state and its constitutional status is under threat.

Around 400 people were killed in violence in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017, including terrorist and soldiers of the Indian security forces.

This unprovoked firing has been continuously witnessed from the Pakistani side across the border, in which many Indian security personnel and civilians have lost their lives.

The ceasefire violations, which amounted to 228 in 2016, have reached 503 this year (till October 5).