Ruckus in Jammu and Kashmir assembly over terror attacks

Jammu, March 22 (IANS) Confusion and noise marred the budget session proceedings of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly on Sunday as the opposition demanded a resolution over the twin terror attacks in Kathua and Samba districts.

As the house assembled for Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu to present budget proposals for 2015-2016, National Conference and Congress legislators demanded a resolution in the assembly over the terror attacks on Friday and Saturday.

Efforts by Speaker Kavinder Gupta failed to bring the situation under control following which some ruling BJP legislators tried to move into the well of the house.

Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed told the opposition that if they respected the dignity of the house, they should not interrupt its normal proceedings. He said a resolution on the subject could be taken up for discussion.

"This is not the first attack that has taken place in the state. I am sure peace will soon return as it happened during 2002-2007," Sayeed told the assembly.

"If Pakistan wants friendship with us (India), then they will have to help bring in peace to the state.

"Pakistan will have to tell people involved in such attacks that they should desist."

Asserting that these attacks were attacks against peace in the state, the chief minister requested the speaker that the house should pass a unanimous resolution condemning the attack.

Devinder Rana of the National Conference said his party had already brought in a resolution in the house which the speaker said had been disallowed.

Not satisfied by the chief minister's statement, all the opposition National Conference legislators led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah walked out.