Welcoming the Union government’s ordinance, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti said that this would help om in curbing harassment against women and girl child in the country. “The J&K government intends to bring similar laws in the State to put an end to crimes against women,” she added.
State Education Minister Altaf Bukhari said, “Such laws are need of the hour. No one should have objection to having such laws. In fact, we believe there should be a more stringent law [in J&K].”
The Centre’s ordinance will not be applicable to J&K unless a similar ordinance is either approved by the Governor of J&K or passed by the State Assembly.
However, Mr. Bukhari remained non-committal on a possible timeline for a similar law in the State.
In the backdrop of the Kathua rape and murder of a minor tribal girl, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had announced “to bring a law to award death penalty in such cases”.
NC for special session
The opposition National Conference (NC) has demanded a special legislative session “to propose a bill mandating the death penalty".
“We as a responsible, god-fearing society need to take a firm stand on this. NC president Farooq Abdullah has already asked for bringing in the law to ensure capital punishment to child rapists. We ask this government to call a special Assembly session for passage of the bill,” NC provincial president and MLA Shamima Firdous said.
Resume classes or will be treated as rowdies: J&K govt
Students warned
The State government has told students, protesting over the Kathua incident, to resume classes or “be treated as rowdies”.
“Emotions do run high at times and requires a vent. I request protesting students to resume classes now. The Kathua case has been dealt with seriously and is before the court. Students have to control their emotions. Enough is enough. In case students again hit the streets they will be treated as rowdies,” Mr Bukhari said. “Otherwise, we may be forced to keep institutions closed for a longer period,” he added.
The student protests have disrupted classes in most colleges and higher secondary schools over the past two weeks. Over three dozen students have been injured in clashes with security forces.
“There is need of a discipline. I am meeting college and varsities’ heads to draw a strategy on how to deal with the law and order issues on campuses. Kashmir can’t afford to be illiterate,” the Minister said.
BJP MLA’s rallies
On BJP MLA Choudhary Lal Singh’s rallies in Jammu after his resignation from the Cabinet, Mr. Bukhari said, “All have right to have campaign or put forth their point of view. We are a democracy. The J&K government has taken a line on the Kathua case and will not succumb to any pressure tactics.”
