As soon as the House assembled in Jammu, the legislators, cutting across the party lines, condemned the terror attack and demanded a statement from the government. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi/Representational) As soon as the House assembled in Jammu, the legislators, cutting across the party lines, condemned the terror attack and demanded a statement from the government. (Express Photo By Shuaib Masoodi/Representational)

A senior lawmaker of the National Conference on Saturday raised Pro-Pakistan slogans in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after BJP members condemned the neighbouring country over the terror attack on an Army camp in Jammu. The NC distanced itself from the sloganeering by party MLA Mohammad Akbar Lone, which came even as the operation to flush out terrorists from the Sunjwan camp was underway.

As soon as the House assembled in Jammu, the legislators, cutting across the party lines, condemned the terror attack and demanded a statement from the government. Speaker Kavinder Gupta made some remarks which led to high-pitched sloganeering against Pakistan by the BJP members.NC legislators Javed Rana, Ali Mohd Sagar, Akbar Lone, Abdul Majid Larmi and others trooped into the Well of the House seeking an apology from the speaker. Meanwhile, the BJP intensified anti-Pakistan sloganeering and in response, an angry Lone stood up on his seat and shouted pro-Pakistan slogans. The situation in the House then became more chaotic and Speaker Kavinder Gupta adjourned the House at 10:15 am. Talking to reporters, Lone said he had shouted pro-Pakistan slogans only in reaction to the BJP which, he claimed, had shown that they hate Muslims. “The statement of Speaker Kavinder Gupta shows what they have in their mind,” he claimed.

Later, the speaker expunged his remarks. The NC condemned the slogans, terming them unacceptable. Party spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu tweeted, “Just spoke to chief NC Farooq Abdullah sahib. Dr Sahib and entire party is of the unequivocal stand that NC MLA from Sonwari Akbar Lone had spoken out of turn and his slogans in assembly were completely unacceptable to the party.”

Just spoke to @JKNC_ President Dr. Farooq Abdullah Sahib. Dr. Sahib and the entire party is of the unequivocal stand that NC MLA from Sonawari Mr. Akbar Lone has spoken out of turn and his slogans in the Legislative Assembly are completely unacceptable to the party. 1/2 — Junaid Azim Mattu (@Junaid_Mattu) February 10, 2018

Mattu said the NC chief stated that Lone should not forget that he belonged to the party which had rejected the two-nation theory. “The party disowns and condemns his remarks,” he said.

Hon’ble @JKNC_ President has said the NC MLA should not forget that he belongs to a party that rejected the two nation theory and he should also remember the oath he swears in the name of God at the beginning of his terms. The party disowns and condemns his remarks. 2/2. — Junaid Azim Mattu (@Junaid_Mattu) February 10, 2018

Party’s working president Omar Abdullah, in a separate tweet, said he endorsed the party president’s view and the party would not say anything more on the issue. “We need to focus on the unfortunate developments in #SunjwanArmyCamp and not get distracted by misplaced slogans,” Omar said in another tweet.

Totally endorse my Party President’s views outlined in these two tweets. The party will say nothing more on this issue. https://t.co/TMUB0IK1Nr — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 10, 2018

We need to focus on the unfortunate developments in #SunjwanArmyCamp & not get distracted by misplaced slogans. — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 10, 2018

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