Jammu, Feb 6: National Conference (NC) legislators on Thursday voted down an amendment moved by Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone seeking to raise concerns over the safety of Kashmiris working outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The amendment was brought during discussion on the Lieutenant Governor’s Address and expressed regret over the omission of any reference to the safety and security of Kashmiris employed in other States. Lone argued that repeated incidents involving Kashmiris outside the Union Territory made it imperative for the government to acknowledge the issue in its policy statement.
When the amendment was put to vote in the House, it was defeated by the ruling party’s strength. Only four members—three from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Lone himself—voted in favour of the amendment, while NC MLAs voted against it, leading to its rejection.
Opposition members said the safety of Kashmiris working in different parts of the country remains a serious concern and deserved explicit mention in the LG’s Address. The ruling party, however, did not accept the amendment, maintaining that the Address had adequately covered broader issues related to security and welfare.
