Clashes in Jammu and Kashmir assembly this morning
Lawmakers were seen manhandling and shoving each other and even throwing punches as complete chaos erupted in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly this morning.
A group of school children had a ringside view as some of the members pushed each other so violently that a bench toppled over. Papers were thrown across the house.
Marshals who tried to control the lawmakers were also jostled around and one was reportedly injured. Officials and security men were seen holding back a legislator who appeared ready to strike out..
"We exposed school students to a very shameful spectacle. Unfortunately, these children are going back with not a good impression," said Naeem Akhtar, a leader of the People's Democratic Party that co-governs Jammu and Kashmir with the BJP.
"I am not sure the kids are going back with good memories," he remarked.
The worry was confirmed by some of the students. "The way they behaved...I did not expect this," said one of them.
Opposition legislator Abdul Majeed said the problem escalated because the government refused to listen. "When they were the opposition they used to break chairs. They should listen to us like we listen to them," he said.
The clashes began when lawmakers of the Congress and the National Conference went to the well of the house and protested over power projects not being transferred to the state government as promised. The government said the transfer was not possible because of financial and legal reasons.
"They took three months to come up with a Common Minimum Programme (CMP). What we are being told in the name of a CMP is false," said former chief minister Omar Abdullah of the National Conference.