Anti-defection law for J&K district development councils soon

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be eradicated without the support of the people, and added that issues related to militancy and law and order do not fall solely under the purview of the elected government.

However, the government is assisting to ensure the situation remains stable, he said.

Regarding reports of militant activity in Kathua, Abdullah said the security forces had not yet made contact with any militants.

"As per the information available to me, no direct contact has been established,’’ he said. “A search and cordon operation has been launched following reports of suspicious movement in the area.”

When asked about the Waqf Bill introduced by the Union government, the chief minister criticised the move. He argued that Waqf institutions were being unfairly singled out.

"It is clear that only one religious community is being targeted,” he said. “Every religion has its institutions and all faiths engage in charitable activities.”

He said that Muslims contribute to society through Waqf, yet these institutions are being selectively targeted.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir government informed the assembly on Monday that it is planning to examine an anti-defection law for district development councils (DDC).

While responding to the cut motion of People’s (PC) Conference leader Sajad Lone, Rural Development Minister Javid Ahmed Dar said an anti-defection law for DDC has been demanded and after obtaining a legal opinion, the law will be introduced.

He said currently no action can be taken against a member of the DDC after defection due to the absence of an anti-defection law in the Panchayat Raj Act 1989. Dar cited the examples of the J&K Municipal Act 2000, whose section 18A leads to the disqualification of a municipal member after defection.

The DDCs were constituted in October 2020. The coalition of regional parties comprising NC, PDP, CPI(M), and PC had won half of the 210-member council. The BJP emerged as the single largest party, winning 75 councils, including some in Kashmir.