Waqar Manzoor
Jammu, Feb 05 : The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday rejected an amendment seeking the inclusion of a strong condemnation of attacks on Kashmiris working and studying in other states, following voting on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address.
The amendment was moved by Peoples Conference (PC) president and MLA Sajad Lone after the Chief Minister’s reply to the LG’s Address. Lone demanded that his proposed changes be put to vote, urging the House to formally acknowledge and condemn attacks on Kashmiri students, traders, and hawkers reported from various states and Union Territories.
When the amendment was taken up, National Conference (NC) legislators voted against it, while members of the Peoples Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supported the proposal. Following a voice vote, the Speaker declared the amendment rejected.
Reacting to the outcome, Sajad Lone alleged that the National Conference and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had voted together to defeat the amendment. In a post on X, Lone stated that his amendments were aimed at strengthening the LG’s Address by adding a clear and forceful condemnation of the attacks and by calling for coordination with the Union Government and concerned states to take strict action against those responsible.
“I had moved amendments to the Honourable LG’s Address so that these critical issues are formally acknowledged. The amendments were put to vote, and NC and BJP voted against them,” Lone said.
He, however, expressed appreciation for the PDP members who supported the amendment, thanking them for backing the proposal on the Assembly floor.
The rejected amendment expressed regret over the absence of any mention in the LG’s Address regarding attacks on Kashmiri students, traders, and hawkers, and the lack of reference to communication with the Union Government and other states to ensure stringent action against the perpetrators.
