SRINAGAR: MLA Handwara and Peoples Conference Chief Sajad Gani Lone on Tuesday walked out of the J&K Legislative Assembly after his proposed amendments on Article 370, police verification, and the return of detainees from outside prisons were rejected.
Following the question hour, Lone confronted Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather over the rejection of his amendments, which also sought an investigation into the alleged rigging of the 1987 elections and a review of PSA detentions. The Speaker stated that the amendments were disallowed as per the Houseโs procedural rules.
Lone had submitted seven amendments to the Lieutenant Governorโs address, but only two were accepted. He criticized the omission of Article 370, the removal of the existing police verification process, and the demand for an inquiry into the 1987 elections from the address. He further pointed out that the J&K Assembly had passed a resolution in its last session, yet there was no mention of Article 370.
โWe suffer due to police verification rules, which are excessively harsh. I have personally faced it. No one should be held accountable for their relativesโ actions. We cannot remain silent on these concerns,โ he asserted.
Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat backed Loneโs demand for a debate on police verification, arguing that it deserved House deliberation. Lone also questioned why the repeal of the PSA was not included in the LGโs address if there was a genuine intent to address the issue.
In response, the Speaker clarified that such matters fell under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs and could only be addressed once full statehood was reinstated.
Frustrated by the refusal to accommodate his amendments, Lone staged a walkout from the Assembly in protest.
