Jammu, Feb 8: The J&K Legislative Assembly saw heated exchanges on Saturday as NC MLA Hilal Ahmed Lone demanded the release of jailed AAP MLA Mehraj Malik from Doda, calling his detention over a minor altercation with the Deputy Commissioner an “insult to democracy.”
Lone urged a House resolution to the Union Government for Malik’s immediate release, noting he was elected to represent constituents but has been sidelined for months without serious charges like violence or stone-pelting. He grew emotional over detained Kashmiri youth and killings, accusing BJP members of silence.
Tensions peaked during budget discussions when BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi declared Article 370 “dead and buried forever,” sparking a verbal clash with NC members including DyCM Surinder Choudhary. Sethi hailed its abrogation for curbing terrorism, stone-pelting, and promoting national integration, quoting Dr. BR Ambedkar’s opposition to special statuses.
Reasi’s Kuldeep Raj Dubey pushed rehabilitation for Talwara migrants, wage hikes for daily wagers/ASHAs/Anganwadi workers, and praised central infra funds like Sawalkote power project. Independent Surankote’s Mohd Akram Choudhary lauded NC govt for fulfilling promises (free power/LPG/pensions), urging BJP to avoid communal issues.
Beerwah’s Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani highlighted horticulture quality checks, warned on US import duties impacting Valley growers, and denied recruitment scams under current rule. Kupwara’s PDP Fayaz Ahmad Mir questioned CM Omar Abdullah on pre-poll Article 370 pledge, criticized NC-BJP name-calling, and demanded job delivery.
BJP’s Vikram Randhawa slammed govt for losing 16,212 kanals of JDA land and budget cuts. Budhal’s Javaid Iqbal Choudhary and Rajpora’s Ghulam Mohiuddin Mir hit at BJP on welfare credits, outsider labor dominance, PDP-BJP coalition role in 370’s end, while praising Durbar Move/LPG promises.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened amid din to restore order.
