Kathua terror attack: Turmoil in J&K Assembly, Opposition seeks explanation

“What are you saying that you don’t know that the man who has died can be either a civilian or a CRPF personnel. The government should have the information,” National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana said. (Source: PTI)

The early morning terrorist attack in Kathua district rocked the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Friday with Opposition members seeking an explanation from the government on the incident.

The issue was raised by National Conference MLA Devender Singh Rana who wanted to know about the steps being taken by the government to thwart the attack.

“The House wants to know how the militant attack took place, how the militants were able to launch this attack,” Rana said.

Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh informed the House that two or three heavily armed militants managed to enter the Rajpora Police station in Kathua and were holed up in the police station.

“Police and CRPF has cordoned off the area and heavy firing is going on. A man has died and we are not sure if he is a civilian or a CRPF personnel. Ten people have been injured which include two policemen, seven CRPF men while one civilian and a policeman have been seriously injured,” he said.

Opposition National Conference and Congress termed the answer “unsatisfactory”.

“What are you saying that you don’t know that the man who has died can be either a civilian or a CRPF personnel. The government should have the information,” said Rana.

Ali Mohammed Sagar of the National Conference said, “People are dying and you have no information.”

While condemning the attack CPI (M) MLA M Y Tarigami said that the House needs to show a united face in condemning such tragedies and expressed sympathy with the family of those killed in the attack.

“It’s a tragedy and it should be debated here. The House needs to know what steps the government will take and has taken. Let’s not get divided on the tragedy. Such tragedies are unfortunate and we should speak in one voice and condemn it,” Tarigami said.

Calling the Deputy Chief Minister’s statement “unacceptable”, Tarigami said, “It is not acceptable when you say he can be a policeman or a civilian” and demanded a resolution.

To this, Singh once again stood to address the House and said, “Inspector General of Police Jammu and other senior officers are on the spot. The area has been cordoned off and heavy firing is going on. A body is lying at a distance and amidst heavy firing it is not possible to reach there to ascertain the identity of the dead.

“We will keep the House informed as and when we get more information on the issue,” he said.

To this, Congress MLA from Banihal Vikar Rasool wanted to know what the government “which once claimed that its leader has 56-inch chest is doing.”

A policeman was among two persons killed and nine others were injured, including seven CRPF men, when a group of militants of a ‘fidayeen’ squad dressed in Army fatigues stormed a police station in Kathua district of the state in the wee hours on Friday.

Source:: Indian Express