SRINAGAR: Seats for the representatives of Pakistan side of Kashmir still lies vacant in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
As per the state constitution, 25 seats have been reserved for the people of areas in Pakistani side of Kashmir in Assembly.
The state constituent Asssembly was set up in 1951 to frame a constitution for the state. The setting up of the Assembly was also envisaged in the Maharaja’s Proclamation of March 5, 1948, whereby power was transferred to the representatives of people.
The elections were held on the basis of universal adult franchise in September 1951. Records say that 75 members were elected from as many constituencies in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.
However, in addition, 25 seats were reserved for people living in other side of Kashmir.
Seating arrangement issued by the secretary Legislative Assembly show 15 seats vacant from serial number 73 to 87. Similarly, in the Legislative Council, 12 seats are lying vancant from serial number 43 to 54.
Meanwhile, Independent member from Langate Er Sheikh Abdul Rashid was alloted a new seat near another Independent member from Kathua Charanjit Singh.
During the last session he was alloted seat near the members of National Panthers Party (NPP) and the BJP. When he was raising the issue of Human Rights violations by security forces, he was interrupted by NPP and BJP members and on some occasions physical scuffle were narrowly averted .
Similarly when NPP and BJP members were opposing revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), Er Rashid used to raise his voice against them.
