NC stages walk-out over CASO in Central and North Kashmir, Army Chief’s remark

Jammu: National Conference on Monday created an uproar in the assembly and sought explanations from the government in the conduct of cordon and search operations in central Kashmir particularly Srinagar city and north Kashmir and army chief’s remark on working of schools in Kashmir.
Raising the issue, the National Conference members wanted the chief minister to make statements over the issues of cordon and search operations in Kashmir and army chief’s remark on working of schools in Kashmir but the speaker refused to entertain their repeated calls for a statement from the chief minister.
The NC members walked out from the house in protest.
After the walkout National Conference and BJP confronted each other over the army chief’s remark and education minister’s response on teaching in Kashmir schools and continuing Cordon & Search Operation (CASO) in central and north Kashmir.
Talking to reporters outside the assembly complex after the walk out from the assembly over the conduct of Cordon and search operations (CASO) and army chief’s remark on education in Kashmir schools, the senior National Conference leader and MLA Khanyar Ali Mohammad Sagar said “Chief Minister talks about the construction of bunkers in border areas in Jammu division by the central government without keeping her informed but she is silent on the conduct of cordon and search operations in north and central Kashmir after bulldozing populations in south Kashmir. CASO and Panchayat polls can’t go together and the situation being created by cordons and searches is not conducive for holding panchayat polls in the state. We won’t allow this to happen. Education Minister’s response to Army Chief’s remark on teaching in Kashmir schools is a welcome step and Army Chief should desist from intervening the working of public institutions in the State in future.”
Talking to reporters former Speaker and NC MLA Mohammad Akbar Lone said “Education Minister’s remark in response to Army Chief’s statement on functioning of schools in Kashmir is a welcome step. We condemn remark of Army Chief on working of Schools in Kashmir and advice him not to poke his nose into the working of public institutions in the State. We also condemn the cordon and search operations now started in central Kashmir particularly old parts of Srinagar and north Kashmir after harassing and humiliating the populations in South Kashmir. “We won’t allow this to happen.”
Confronting National Conference leaders on both the issues the teaching in Kashmir schools and conduct of cordon and search operations in central and north Kashmir parts, BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said “Pakistan is responsible for all what has happened in the State during last three years and the current phase of violence in Kashmir. “Pakistan is instigating violence by exploiting the sentiments of youth inspiring them to join militancy and stone pelting. We stand by the Army Chief’s remark and support the conduct of cordon and search operations in entire Kashmir valley. Pakistan is responsible for one lakh killings witnessed during last thirty years in Kashmir valley.”