Speaker rules out discussion, cites Business Rules
Jammu Tawi, Mar 10: The Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed uproarious scenes and heated exchanges over civilian killings in Kathua and an objectionable fashion show in Gulmarg.
As soon as the House assembled this morning, NC and Congress MLAs stood up and demanded discussion over Billawar killings and condemnation of assault on MLA Bani Dr. Rameshwar Singh.
Amid the commotion in the House, MLA Bani Rameshwar Singh, who was allegedly assaulted on Saturday night at Billawar, tried to storm into the Well of the House but was stopped by the Marshals from entering into it.
The Speaker repeatedly asked NC and Congress members to take their seats but they continued with their protests.
Amid commotion in the House, MLA Kupwara Mir Muhammad Fayaz demanded stringent action against the organisers of the objectionable fashion show in Gulmarg.
“They should be taken to task,” he demanded and accused the NC and BJP of stifling the voice of the opposition in the House.
Pointing to the Treasury and Opposition Benches, Mir said, ‘One (NC) of them is ruling here, and the other (BJP) is ruling in New Delhi.'”
As disruptions continued in the House, the Speaker said he has received two adjournment motions over Billawar killings and assault on MLA Bani.
He said the House cannot discuss the Billawar killings, stating that the matters fall outside the domain of the Assembly. He cited Section 32 of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act-2019, under which “police” and “public order” fall outside the domain of the Assembly.
“The LG has already ordered an inquiry into the matter,” he said.
The Speaker also said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already ordered an inquiry into the fashion show. “This cannot be discussed as matters under inquiry cannot be taken up in the House,” he added.
The Speaker said the House condemns the assault on MLA Bani Dr. Rameshwar Singh and a thorough inquiry should be held into it.
Attempts being made to give political colour to Kathua killings: CM
Jammu Tawi, Mar 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday derided the “attempts” to give “political colour” to the recent mysterious deaths in Kathua, and questioned the Jammu Kashmir Police for stopping his deputy from visiting the bereaved families, but allowing the Leader of the Opposition to meet them.
The assembly on Monday witnessed a heated debated on various issues, including these killings in the region.
“As the leader of the House, I want to record my concern and that of the House over the situation in Kathua. We condemn the killings of five innocent persons and express our condolences to the bereaved families,” the chief minister said.
Abdullah said the circumstances surrounding these deaths are under investigation. “What happened, how it happened and why it happened is a matter of investigation which is going on. Discussing it in the House will not be appropriate.” He also urged appropriate action against those responsible for manhandling of Independent MLA Rameshwar Singh, who visited a hospital in Billawar tehsil to meet the families of the deceased.
Highlighting the “inconsistency” in police’s approach to the case, Abdullah expressed surprise that the Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma of the BJP was allowed to visit the bereaved families while Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary was not.
“Attempts are being made to give a political colour (to the Kathua incidents). I am surprised that LoP was allowed (to visit the bereaved families) but the deputy chief minister (Surinder Choudhary) was stopped. I spoke to the deputy chief minister on Sunday morning as he had made a plan to visit Kathua and informed the administration about his programme.
“But more police deployment was made outside his residence on Sunday, and he was told that his planned visit to the area was not appropriate at this juncture. He spoke to me over the phone and asked what he should do. I told him that we are not irresponsible people and if the administration has an apprehension that our visit might deteriorate the situation, it is better not to go there,” Abdullah said.
The chief minister also said he told Choudhary to talk to the Jammu Zone inspector general of police, but the officer was busy with the visit of the Union Home Secretary.
He then spoke to the Kathua senior superintendent of police who told him that the situation was tense and that he should wait for a few days, Abdullah said.
“However, I fail to understand that if the situation was such that the deputy chief minister couldn’t go there, how was the LoP was allowed,” the chief minister asked, even as Sharma tried to reason with him about his visit.
“You (LoP) cannot reply because I am not asking you. My question is for those who allowed you (to visit Kathua) but stopped the deputy chief minister,” Abdullah said.
“It seems we are under a new administration in which you (Sharma) have become the spokesperson of the police. I have placed the reality before the House and the police will have to give answers, not you,” the chief minister added.
Later, Sharma said he was constantly in touch with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and had visited the area to assure the people on behalf of the home minister.
