Chaos in JHK assembly as question hour disrupted by BJP legislators

In a stormy session today at the state assembly, BJP legislators created uproar, preventing the question hour from proceeding. The subject of concern was the alarming state of law and order in the state. The BJP members demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, accusing his government of failing to ensure the safety of women and tribals. This demand comes in the wake of the recent tragic incident where CPM leader Subhash Munda was shot dead in his office, and the rising number of rape cases.

As the assembly proceedings commenced, a heated discussion on the matter ensued, with BJP legislators vehemently expressing their dissatisfaction. The situation escalated when Assembly Speaker Rabindranath Mahto's efforts to bring order failed, leading to the adjournment of the House until 12:00 PM.

Amidst the chaos, Pradeep Yadav, a prominent figure, reiterated the Finance Ministry's plea for the disbursement of Rs 35,000 crore from the central government for state and centrally sponsored schemes. The Finance Minister, Rameshwar Rameshwar Oraon, responded, stating that talks were underway with the Centre to address the matter.

CPL (ML) Legislator Vinod Kumar Singh drew attention to the concerning issue of low conviction rates in cases of atrocities against women and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Presenting figures from 2022, Singh disclosed that out of 2,366 trials related to atrocities against women, a staggering 2,662 accused were acquitted, resulting in a conviction rate of less than 25%. He also highlighted that a staggering 90% of police stations in the state lacked female sub-inspectors, emphasizing the importance of their presence in handling cases of violence against women.

Singh asserted that it is not enough for the state to merely register FIRs; they must ensure that justice is served through convictions. In response, In-charge Minister Alamgir Alam defended the state's actions, stating that they were in accordance with the existing rules. However, Singh remained unconvinced and attempted to inquire whether the state government planned to reserve positions for women in the appointment of sub-inspectors to enhance their representation in police stations and handle cases of atrocities against women.

The session ended in disarray, raising concerns about the government's ability to address the pressing issues of law and order, safety of women, and the judicial system's effectiveness. The demand for the Chief Minister's resignation continues to be a contentious point of debate, with the assembly's future proceedings uncertain until order is restored.