The first day of the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly session was marred by uproar today as ruling National Conference (NC) lawmakers raised slogans demanding restoration of statehood, while Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members staged a counter-protest.NC legislators, including Ali Muhammad Sagar, raised slogans for restoration of occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood soon after the session began at 10am.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) legislator Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said two years had passed since the elected government assumed office, yet statehood had not been restored.The demand triggered protests from BJP lawmakers, who stood up with placards and raised slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather repeatedly asked opposition members to raise their issues when given the opportunity and urged lawmakers to utilise the session to discuss matters concerning the public.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)