Ruckus marks 1st day, 1st session of J&K House

THE first day of the maiden Assembly session of Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory on Monday witnessed a brief commotion on Article 370 after a People's Democratic Party (PDP) member read a resolution on restoration of J&K's special status, which prompted protests from the BJP members.

- FAYAZ WANI

The Assembly convened in Srinagar and senior National Conference (NC) leader and seven-time MLA Abdur Rahim Rather was elected as Speaker of the House.

PDP MLA Waheed Para, while felicitating the newly elected Speaker, moved the resolution saying, "This House opposes revocation of J&K's special status and constitutional disempowerment of J&K through the Reorganisation Act, 2019 and calls for its complete rescinding and restoration of J&K's special status."

In response, the BJP members rose up from their seats and protested against the member, terming it a violation of the rules. The Speaker tried to bring the situation under control by telling BJP members that he was yet to see the document and would take a call only after reading it.