Jammu and Kashmir Assembly autumn session begins

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly began its eight-day autumn session here today with the House paying homage to former President A P J Abdul Kalam and others who passed away since the last sitting of the legislature.

The House also condoled the deaths of pilgrims in two separate accidents during Haj this year with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed calling for a credible probe into the incidents which have left more than thousand dead.

The Speaker read out the obituary references of the former president, former ministers Ghulam Rasool Kar, Ghulam Mohammad, Abdul Gani Shah Veeri, Khawaja Sanullah Dar, legislators Janak Raj Gupta, Ghulam Mohammad Misger, Vir Chand Mahasha, Farida Mir and ex-Secretary Legislative Assembly Justice Mian Jalal-ud-din.

The Chief Minister, his deputy Nirmal Singh, former chief minister Omar Abdullah and other members paid tributes to the deceased persons.

Sayeed said there should be no blame game for the accidents in Mecca and called for an inquiry.

"I appeal the Saudi Government that there should be a credible inquiry into these accidents and care should be taken so that such incidents do not take place in the future," he said.

The House also observed two-minute silence to pay respects to the deceased.

The House also saw slight disturbance when independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid got up from his seat and raised a demand for revocation of ban on beef.

As soon as the House began the proceedings, Rashid raised a banner which read there should be no interference in religious affairs. He also raised the issue of the lynching of a man by a mob in Uttar Pradesh on rumours that the family had consumed beef.

"Why is not the Prime Minister raising his voice against the killing?" Rashid asked and then staged a walkout from the House.

Obituary references were also read out in the Legislative Council where many members paid respects to the departed souls.

The Council also condoled the deaths in Mecca and later observed a two-minute silence.

Both the Assembly and the Council were adjourned for the day as there was no other business to conduct.