Protests rock JK Assembly over medical colleges

Opposition members today raised the issue of discrimination in the setting up of medical colleges in the state in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House briefly.
PDP member Zulfilkar Hussain raised the issue of discrimination in the sanctioning of four medical colleges by the Centre and called for an unanimous resolution for sanctioning medical colleges at Pir Panchal range, Udhampur and Kupwara districts in the state.
Ruling NC MLA from Poonch Haveli Ajaz Jan also batted for the resolution and raised the issue of discrimination in Rajouri-Poonch.
BJP's Jugal Kishore, Balwant Singh Mankotia of JKNPP and Surjeet Salathia of NC and Abdul Haq Khan also raised the issues of discrimination with their respective areas.

Speaker, Mubarak Gul asked the members to bring a joint resolution conveying gratitude to the Centre over the setting up of new medical colleges in the state, while raising the concern of the areas left out in the scheme.
Gul said that the resolution, if adopted by the House, will be forwarded to the Centre with a request to consider the demand of hilly districts.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Mir Saifullah and R&B Minister, Abdul Majid Wani supported the move and assured the members that the joint resolution will be sent to the Centre for accommodation of more districts for establishing medical colleges as per the merits and demand of the people.

As the pitch of protests rose, the Speaker adjourned the house for ten minutes.