J&K Assembly Speaker hints at discussion on Afzal issue

Under continuous disruption of House, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker indicated of allowing discussion on hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, saying he will "open his cards".

Jammu: Under pressure from various parties and continuous disruption of the House, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker has indicated of allowing discussion on the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, but said he will "open his cards" on Monday. "The issue should be discussed -- But I will open my cards on Monday," Mubarak Gul told PTI here on Saturday.

Almost all the major political parties, including the ruling National Conference, Opposition PDP and CPI (M) have moved motions for adjournment of daily business of the House to discuss the situation arising out of the execution of Guru. The House was disrupted yesterday by the protests from PDP, CPI(M) and Peoples Democratic Front forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House. "People want that discussion should be held (over it). There was big discussions on TV channels, Prime Minister had talked about issue, Chief Minister had talked about it, opposition had raised the issue," Speaker said. "There were big editorials in the newspapers, people did protests-- how can you hide it," Gul said. Led by Leader of Opposition Mehbooba Mufti, PDP legislators stood up from their benches in Assembly yesterday carrying placards on Guru and called for adjournment of business to discuss the situation and handing over of Guru`s mortal remains. CPI(M) member M Y Tarigami, who had also moved the motion for adjournment of the House business to discuss the issue, also stood up and urged Speaker Gul for discussion. NC MLA Nasir Aslam Wani-led five member resolution was brought by NC to adjourn the house to hold debate over the issue in the Assembly yesterday. Meanwhile, Bhartiya Gujjar Maha Sabha today slammed mainstream political parties for their stand on Guru`s hanging saying that holding the Assembly hostage over the matter betrayed a total lack of concern about the plight of the people of the state. "We express grave concern over the negative attitude of the mainstream political parties... They are least concerned about the plight of the people of the state and are raising a hue and cry over a matter which has been decided by the highest court of the country," state president of the Sabha, Eshfaq-Ur-Rehman Poswal, told reporters here. Poswal said although people in the rural areas of the state are facing problems like lack of roads, hospitals, health infrastructure, jobs, education and power, these issues were not likely to be raised in the House due to the ongoing standoff and adjournment motions moved over Guru`s hanging. PTI