Congress stages walkout from J&K Assembly over airlifting of cop's body

JAMMU: Noisy scenes were witnessed today in J&K Assembly as Congress MLAs staged walkout protesting against the alleged failure by the government to airlift the body of a policeman killed in terrorist attack in Shopian on Monday.

"Even on the third day after the killing, the government has not been able to airlift the body of the martyred cop to his hometown in Leh," leader of Congress Legislative party Nawang Rigzin Jora said.

He said that in absence of government's initiative, the family of the slain policeman has managed to arrange for airlifting of the body.

"It is a matter of shame that the family was forced to purchase the air ticket so that the body of their son reaches home," Jora said.

Alleging that the lack of initiative amounts to disrespect towards the martyr, he said: "The family has been waiting for the body so they can lay it to rest as per the rituals but this shows the insensitivity of the government as the body has not been airlifted."

Replying to the allegation, Minister for Social Welfare Bali Bhagat said the body would be airlifted this afternoon on air India flight.

"If they have purchased the ticket government will refund it," he said.