NPP, BJP members walk out of assembly over infiltration issue

They demanded the government's statement over reports that two villages in J&K were occupied by militants

Members of National Panthers Party (NPP) and BJP today walked out of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, demanding government's statement over reports that two villages were occupied by Pakistan terrorists in Keran sector of the Valley.

As soon as the House assembled, NPP MLA Harsh Dev Singh sought direction from Speaker Mubarak Gul that the government issue a statement on reports that the terrorists, backed by Pakistan Army, have occupied two Indian villages along the LoC.

However, Gul said it was not necessary that the state government issue a statement as soon as the matter was raised by a member.

"This is a national issue. We are all concerned about the (territorial) integrity of the country. (However), this information will be with the army and the Defence Ministry. Once the state government is informed, they will make a statement here," the Speaker said.

Not satisfied with the Speaker's ruling, seven MLAs -- three from NPP and four from BJP -- raised slogans against Pakistan and walked out of the House.

Earlier, Army chief General Bikram Singh dismissed the reports and said that terrorists have not occupied any Indian village along the Line of Control.

The Army chief said the militants attempted infiltration at four or five places and the security forces had information about it.

"They have been stopped, prevented. Some of them have been neutralised. Operations are on to flush them out. It is a matter of time," he said.

Asked whether the terrorists, backed by Pakistan Army, have occupied any Indian village along the LoC, Gen Singh said no such incident had happened there.