The entire opposition in the assembly, including the National Conference (NC) and Congress, on Wednesday boycotted Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s reply to the debate on Governor’s address, alleging her of being “insensitive” towards killing of innocent people in Kashmir.

The opposition members accused Mehbooba of running away from making a statement on the sensitive issue of killing of a civilian in the Kulgam district. The opposition was referring to the incident in which a person in a mob that attacked the security forces engaged in an encounter with terrorists was killed. A magisterial enquiry has been ordered by the government into the incident.

Pandemonium was witnessed in the house when it met in the morning as the opposition and Independent members demanded a statement from the government on killing of the civilian. Chaos prevailed for most part of the question hour as the opposition members raising slogans trooped into the Well of the house and later staged a walk out.

The issue was raised by the former Chief Minister and leader of opposition, Omar Abdullah, who accused the government of being insensitive on the issue. Mehbooba as chairperson of the Unified Command, consisting of the Army, para-military forces and intelligence agencies, has failed to take effective steps to stop killing of innocent people.

NC members carrying banners “stop innocent killings” raised slogans and were supported by the entire opposition.

Devender Singh Rana (NC) said that the PDP-BJP government was sitting as a mute spectator as unrest was growing in all three regions of the state.

Parliamentary Affairs minister Abdul RehmanVeeri tried to pacify the members by pointing out that a magisterial probe has been ordered into the civilian’s death and the Chief Minister would respond on the issue in her reply on the debate of the Governor’s address during the second sitting of the house.

Omar Abdullah said that the opposition as a mark of protest against the insensitivity of the government would boycott her speech on the Governor’s address. He led the opposition’s walkout from the house.