PDP JK boycotts Governor’s Address, Assembly

Jammu, February 28 (Scoop News) -To lodge protest against failure and inability of the State Government to protect rights of the citizen of Jammu and Kashmir Mohammad Afzal Guru, who was hanged by depriving him of his proper legal rights, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today boycotted Governor’s Address on the first day of the Budget session of the Assembly. PDP legislators, under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti, staged a dharna outside the Assembly and shouted slogans against the State Government. Slogan shouting PDP legislators were carrying placards.

Slogans like Tamil Nadu Nay Inkar Keya, Punjab Nay Inkar Keya. Par Jammu and Kashmir Nay Ikrar Keya repeatedly rented in the air as PDP legislators pointed out that governments of Tamil Nadu and Punjab have opposed death sentences to killers of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and former Chief Minister of Punjab Beant Singh.  But the Jammu and Kashmir has failed to protect rights of its own citizen.  They were also  questioning- Why Afzal Guru, who was in serial number 28 in the queue, was picked up and sent to the gallows without giving opportunity to approach the Supreme Court ? The party legislators were also demanding that mortal remains of Afzal Guru must to be given to his family members for proper burial and last rites.

As mark of protest against the State Government, PDP legislators did not enter the Central Hall of the Assembly and boycotted Governor’s Address.

Spokesman of the PDP Naeem Akthar later said that the party has boycotted Governor’s Address to register its protest against inability of the State Government to protect rights of citizen of Jammu and Kashmir Mohammad Afzal Guru, who was sent to the gallows without giving fair trial to defend himself. He said that after rejection of the mercy petition of Afzal Guru, he should be given the opportunity to approach the Supreme Court for final petition but he was not given this opportunity. He said that Afzal Guru was deprived of his legal right and hanged secretly in unholy manner. He said that it was failure on the part of the State Government that Afzal Guru was denied legal and constitutional rights to defend himself.

PDP spokesman said that protest was against surrender of the authority of Chief Minister because the present Chief Minister by surrendering his authorities has made citizens of Jammu and Kashmir as vulnerable and powerless. He said that it was also failure of the present regime that family of Afzal Guru was deprived of their right as they were not given prior information of his execution. Further, the family is still depriving of the mortal remains of Afzal Guru.

He said that the denial of opportunity for the family to have a last meeting with the Afzal Guru negated the rights provided to every citizen and violated the basic norms of decency and the State Government was responsible for it.

PDP spokesman further said that party’s protest was also against clamping of indefinite curfew in all parts of Kashmir Valley in wake of the execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru which was illegal and illegitimate.

He said that the State Government had trampled upon the fundamental right of the people of Kashmir Valley by imposing strict curfew, banning of movement, internet, cable network and news papers.

PDP spokesman said on these issues party had boycotted Governor as well as State Government for its failure to discharge its constitutional duties.

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