NC announces boycott of Assembly session as protests continue

Omar Abdullah hit out at the Speaker, saying he was 'throttling' the voice of opposition

National Conference today announced boycott of the rest of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session after the Speaker suspended two of its members as opposition protests led to chaotic scenes in the House for the second day.

NC Leader Omar Abdullah hit out at Speaker Kavinder Gupta, saying he was "throttling" the voice of opposition after the Speaker rejected their demand for suspension of Question Hour to discuss the issue of Article 35-A, which upholds the unique status of the permanent residents of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We will boycott the rest of the session," said Omar, who led a walkout of the partymen after the Speaker ordered eviction and suspension of Altaf Wani and Abdul Majeed Larmi for the rest of the session following protests by NC MLAs who even conducted parallel mock proceedings in the well.

As soon as the House assembled, several National Conference members were on their feet showing banners, calling for upholding and strengthening of Article 35-A.

The NC members demanded suspension of Question Hour to discuss the issue of Article 35-A, which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.

Congress members displayed banners demanding discussion on the issue of regularisation of daily wagers and other contractual staff of the government.

Speaker Kavinder Gupta said Article 35-A could not be taken up for discussion as it is sub-judice before the Supreme Court while other issues could be discussed after the Question Hour.

The Speaker's remarks prompted the opposition members to storm the well of the House, leading to pandemonium.

The speaker, however, did not adjourn the House and conducted the proceedings amid din and sloganeering by the protesting MLAs.

The opposition members then staged parallel proceedings in the well of the House. A chair was placed at the opposite end of the Assembly hall for former Speaker and NC MLA Mubarak Gul to preside over the proceedings.

Though the chair was immediately removed by the assembly staff, Gul conducted mock proceedings with protesting MLAs.

Some NC MLAs later tried to climb the tables of assembly reporters, prompting the Speaker to order eviction and suspension of Altaf Wani and Abdul Majeed Larmi for the rest of the session.

Infuriated NC members then staged a walkout and raised slogans against the Speaker.

"This Speaker is hiding behind the Supreme Court and the garb of something being sub-judice. The person compromising the decorum of the House is the Speaker," Omar said.

Opposition protests over beef ban and other issues had yesterday rocked the assembly with banner-waving NC and Congress members storming the well, climbing tables and clashing with marshals, leaving a lawmaker and a security staff injured.