Srinagar, Oct 8: A high drama unfolded in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Monday when three youth jumped into the well of the House from the press gallery, raising slogans “implement employment policy.”
The incident forced the Speaker Muhammad Akbar Lone to order inquest proceedings against the trio as also against the BJP legislator Jagdish Sapolia, who had managed entry passes for the trio.
As PDP legislator Dr Muhammad Shafi was asking a supplementary question during the question hour, all of a sudden three youth, identified as Manish Khajuria, Sunny Malhotra and Ambedkar Gupta – all from Jammu - jumped into the well of the House from the press gallery. One of them was holding a flag of newly floated J&K Democratic Front.
”Employment policy, Lago Karo, Lago Karo (implement employment policy),” the trio shouted. They were soon bundled out of the House by the marshals and later handed over to the police for questioning. Sources said J&K Democratic Party was floated by Anil Gupta, son of senior BJP leader Chaman Lal Gupta.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was present in the House when the episode took the legislators by surprise as many BJP MLAs were seen fuming and inquiring about who these youth were.
Reacting sharply to the incident, the Speaker said this is most “irresponsible” on part of the member, who had managed the entry passes for the youth.
“The incident has hurt the sanctity of the House. I will take serious action against the youth,” the Speaker said.
Lone said some people want to witness the proceedings but that doesn’t mean they will violate the sanctity of the House. “I am surprised, how come one of the youth had managed to enter along with a flag,” he said. The Speaker said a senior member (BJP MLA Jagdish Sapolia) had managed three passes for the youth.
“During questioning, the trio has made it clear that they were not the part of BJP and had their own organization - JKDF,” Lone told the House. “Jumping into the well of the House from the public gallery tantamount to contempt of the House. I direct the Assembly secretariat to initiate inquest proceedings against the three youth including the MLA, who managed entry passes for them for being an abettor,” the Speaker said.
The Speaker also told the House that he has come to know that three youth, who violated the sanctity of the House, were staying in the MLA hostel, Srinagar. “They were brought to the Assembly in the vehicle by the legislator,” he said. “I direct the Assembly secretariat to collect all information about who is staying in MLA hostel Jammu and MLA hostel Srinagar.”
Talking to media persons, a senior police officer, wishing not to be quoted by name, ruled out that there was any security lapse. “Our job is to frisk every person who enters the Assembly premises. We have to check whether somebody is carrying a weapon along,” he said, adding that the trio had valid entry passes. “We even have a direction not to allow people having green and red handkerchiefs as only white are allowed.”
Meanwhile, many legislators also expressed their concern over the incident. “In both galleries, there are press people. They should sit on one side only so that such incidents don’t occur again,” said NC legislator, Nazir Gurezi. Another NC legislator, Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan said it remains to be seen how the trio had managed to stay in the MLA hostel. “They should be quizzed,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 8 Oct 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 9 Oct 2012 00:00:00 IST