The opposition National Conference and Congress members on 19 January staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly over the alleged failure of the government to protect the lives of the border residents in the ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
Ten persons, including BSF and Army jawans, have been killed and over 40 others injured in the heavy shelling by Pakistan along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region over the last few days.
Soon after Speaker Kavinder Gupta took the chair, the opposition members started shouting slogans against the Centre and state government and staged a walkout to protest the killings in Pakistani firing.
BJP legislators, led by state president Sat Sharma, raised anti-Pakistan slogans, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attempted to pacify the opposition by promising a detailed statement on the ceasefire violations after the Question Hour.
"A comprehensive report is being prepared to inform the House," Relief and Revenue Minister Javaid Mustafa Mir said, adding that he had already directed the home commissioner to prepare a report.
NC's Ali Mohammad Sagar criticised the statement of Union minister Jitendra Singh and said the opposition raised the ceasefire violations issue thrice in the House on 18 January and had sought a statement from the government.
Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) had on 18 January said, "Kashmir-centric Pakistan apologists owe an explanation to the nation and that there can be no pardon for them when they continue to shamelessly speak on behalf of Paksitan even on the day when the heavy civilian casualties have been inflicted on the borders by unprovoked Pakistani firing."
Sagar alleged that the union minister tried to "mislead" people over the ceasefire violation by "baseless statements". "The government was apologetic for not issuing any statement on the issue," he told reporters.
Congress legislature party leader Nawang Rigzin Jora also criticised the statement of the union minister and blamed the alleged "inconsistent policy" of the Centre for the frequent ceasefire violations.
"This government, both at the Centre and state, is confused. The state government, in particular, is in chaos and involved in infighting. In such a situation when we do not have a stable government in the state and Centre is indulged in flip-flops, Pakistan will continue the shelling to its benefit," he said.
"Where has the 56-inch chest gone? Our people are getting killed and displaced daily and the BJP leaders are doing politics over the miseries of the people," Congress legislator Wakar Rasool told reporters outside the House.
Distraught to hear of three more civilians caught in the crossfire on the border. The people of J&K are the worst victims of the acrimony between the two neighbouring countries. I pray that the hostility on the borders ends soon.Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti
Speaking to the media in Delhi, senior NC leader Farooq Abdullah termed the deaths a ‘tremendous tragedy’.
It’s not only BSF jawans but civilians also... It is a tremendous tragedy that is taking place on our border. I hope our neighbor realises it is not going to take us anywhere other than destruction.
Ten Killed in Ceasefire Violations Over 3 Days
Four people, including an Army jawan, were killed and nine injured in firing by Pakistani troops along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu division for the third day, police said. The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday affirmed that elaborate arrangements have been made to deal with the situation arising along the borders.
Over 120 schools have been declared closed along the Line of Control in Balakot and Mankote, owing to the ceasefire violations.
Ten persons have been killed so far in ceasefire violations over three days, police officials said.
An Army jawan was killed after being hit by a bullet during cross-border firing in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district, the officials said.
A defence spokesman identified the slain soldier as sepoy Mandeep Singh (23), a resident of Alampur village of Sangroor in Punjab.
He said the Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms and automatics form 0820 hours in Krishna Ghati sector, resulting in grievous injuries to Singh who later succumbed.
The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, the spokesman said.
The officials said two civilians, Gaura Ram (17) of Kapur RS Pura and Gour Singh (45) of Abdullian, were killed and five others injured in firing by Pakistani rangers along the IB in Jammu district.
A BSF spokesman said cross-border firing was underway in the area from Octroi to Chenab (Akhnoor) in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura from this morning.
While a BSF jawan and a teenaged girl were killed on 18 January, four people – two civilians and one BSF jawan and an Army jawan – were killed and over 40 others, including two BSF personnel, injured in the Pakistani firing on 19 January.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday announced financial aid of Rs 20 lakh for the wife and Rs 5 lakh for the parents of a BSF jawan killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistan, an official said.
The heavy firing had forced thousands of border residents to flee their homes and authorities announced closure of educational institutions for three days along the LoC and IB.
Between 8,000 to 9,000 people living along the IB have migrated to safer places and most of them were living with their relatives, officials said.
Over 1,000 people are housed in camps in RS Pura, Samba and Kathua areas, they said.
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