Chaos over ‘special status’ resolution in Jammu and Kashmir assembly; BJP MLAs marshalled out

Bharatiya Janata Party MLAs were marshalled out of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly amid a ruckus over a resolution calling for the restoration of ‘special status.’ Ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after the speaker directed eviction of BJP members who had stormed the well during their protest over the special status resolution. Inside the House, a scuffle broke out between BJP MLAs and marshals after the speaker ordered the eviction of opposition members who had stormed the well in protest over the special status resolution. At least three MLAs including Balwant Mankotia and Vikram Randhawa were marshalled out on the directions of speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, however, the brawl continued as opposition members resisted the eviction. Deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary introduced a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, saying, “This legislative assembly reaffirms the importance of special status and constitutional guarantees, which protected the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal.” BJP leader and former deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta commented on the ruckus, saying that the National Conference and other political parties from Kashmir are attempting to spoil the environment in Jammu and Kashmir.