Assembly speaker says will talk to MLA after he alleges assault by marshals

Jammu, January 17

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta on Wednesday said he would talk to independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid who on Tuesday announced his decision to boycott the remaining assembly session to protest against alleged assault by marshals.

“Nothing like that (assault on Rashid) had happened. I will personally talk to him,” Gupta said after several members, including CPI(M) MLA MY Tarigami and Congress legislator GA Saroori, raised the issue of alleged assault on the MLA by watch and ward staff.

Rashid, who represents Langate constituency of Kupwara district, on Tuesday had alleged that he was assaulted by marshals and a person in civvies after being marshalled out of the House. He later announced that he would boycott the remaining budget session until the incident was probed.

Soon after the House met on Wednesday, the members expressed displeasure over the treatment meted out to Rashid but were pacified on the assurance of the speaker.

Earlier, Congress legislator Usman Majeed Wani raised the issue of alleged baton charge on the party workers in Lal Chowk in Srinagar on Tuesday, protesting against the erratic power supply.

“It is the duty of the political activists to highlight the problems of the public but it is unfortunate that they were treated with batons. We demand suspension of the police officer who led the lathicharge,” he said.

Gupta told Wani that he had taken note of the issue. PTI