JK Assembly to debate resolution for clemency to Afzal Guru on September 28

SRINAGAR The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will on September 28 debate and vote on a controversial resolution demanding clemency for Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru.

The resolution has been moved by Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid seeking clemency for Guru who has been sentenced to death for his involvement in the attack on Parliament in December 2001.

Rashid submitted the resolution after Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution seeking clemency for three persons on death row for their role in assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The Assembly Secretariat had received 39 resolutions from the MLAs but the rules provide for discussion and voting on only seven resolutions per session.

A draw of lots was conducted yesterday and the resolution moved by Rashid was the second among those selected.

Both separatist and mainstream politicians in the Valley, except the ruling coalition, have one way or the other supported the demand for clemency to Guru while the political parties in Jammu region have opposed the idea.

The PDP, led by former chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his daughter Mehbooba Mufti, have said Guru should be spared the death penalty as hanging him can have negative effects on the situation in Kashmir.