A BJP MLA and an independent legislator today engaged in a verbal dual over the issue of settlement of West Pakistan refugees in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Send the Pakistani refugees back to their country. Why do you need to settle them. You (Government) cannot do it," Independent MLA Engineer Rashid Ahmed said, reacting sharply to the mention of West Pakistan refugees' welfare in the governor's address.
He stood up from his chair during the governor's address and tried to interrupt him over the issue.
BJP member Ravinder Raina countered him saying "PoK is part of J&K... Why should they be sent back? There is no question of sending them (west Pakistan refugees) back to Pakistan."
Later outside the assembly, Ahmed warned the government of of consequences if it tried to bring in a bill to settle west Pakistan refugees in the state
"The entire state from Karna to Kathua will be on fire," he told reporters.
He said that he was sympathetic towards the plight of refugees but "they should be sent back to Pakistan as it is their real home."
"Give them some financial incentive so that they are sent back to their own country," he said.
