SRINAGAR: Three senior legislators of the opposition Monday walked out against what they called insult and humiliation form a Muharam review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayed at SKICC here.
MLA Khansahab and Chairman Peoples Democratic Front Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen said that he along with Mohammad Akbar Lone of National Conference and Asgar Ali Karbalie of Congress were forced to walk out as no seats were kept reserved for them as per official protocol at the venue.
Though Principle Secretary to Chief Minister B. B. Vyas, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Dr Asghar Hassan Samoon and IGP Kashmir Javed Mujtaba Geelani rushed to pacify them profusely apologizing for inconvenience. The MLAs returned to the hall after the officers pleaded with them, Hakeem said, adding this time they faced another bout of humiliation. They failed to arrange seats even after 10-15 minutes long wait. We then left out in protest. This is the worst kind of political and administrative arrogance ever witnessed in Jammu & Kashmir state, Hakeem said.
A government spokesman said that that the chief secretary and DGP called the three legislators and requested them to return to the venue.
The top officials requested them to return as they have arranged seating, which did not have their nameplates, for them. But they did not come back. It was not a big issue, an official said.
NC MLA and former Speaker Assembly Mohammad Akbar Lone said, this callous behavior of the present government has become a routine affair.
They are insulting and humiliating MLAs in official and unofficial gatherings. We wanted to discuss the issues related to Shia populations in our respective constituencies keeping in view the commencement of the holy month of Muharam. By insulting and humiliating opposition MLAs the governments seriousness has been exposed yet again. This is the worst kind of political and administrative arrogance even witnessed in Jammu & Kashmir state, Lone said.
With inputs from KNS
