Pandemonium breaks out in Jammu & Kashmir Assembly

Pandemonium broke out in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today with the opposition shouting slogans and staging a walkout during the joint address of governor NN Vohra to the state legislature on the opening day of the Budget session.

As Vohra started his address, Opposition PDP, BJP, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP), and Jammu State Morcha started demonstrations and sloganeering accusing the state government of failing to check deteriorating law and order condition, among other issues.

Harshdev Singh, Balwant Singh Mankotia and Yashpal Kundal of JKNPP staged a walkout in the assembly followed by 11 members of BJP. The PDP members continued their protest during the governor's address.

Mehbooba Mufti tried to disrupt Vohra's speech and accused Omar Abdullah government of arresting youth branding them as "stone pelters. The state government has adopted a stone for bullet policy...," she said.

Harshdev Singh told reporters that "there is an increase in violence triggered by militants this year. The development is not seen any where during the period of Omar Abdullah's rule."

The party would raise the issue of price rise, Sagir Commission report, Delimitation Commission and surrender policy on the floor of the House, he said.

BJP legislative party leader Chaman Lal Gupta alleged the state government has failed on all fronts, including security. "He (Omar Abdullah) failed to tackle corruption, ensure development and formulated surrender policy to bring militants from across the border into Jammu and Kashmir," Gupta said.

This is a dangerous step which will give a set back to the national security and boost terrorism in the state, he claimed. Demanding imposition of Delimitation Commission, he said report submitted by justice Sagir should be done away with and a new committee should be set up.