Get rid of stray dogs, if not AFSPA: J&K MLA to govt

It also provides for payment of compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased killed by a stray dog and Rs five lakh or Rs one lakh, as the case may be, in case of a person getting disabled permanently or partially.

This followed a passionate appeal by independent MLA from Langate, Engineer Abdul Rashid, asking the government to at least get the state rid of the menace of stray dogs, if not AFSPA. Rashid said that it had become difficult for a common man to even walk on the streets in the Valley.

As the Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh initially opposed introduction of the bill in the House, Rashid offered to withdraw it provided he along with him walked through any area in the Valley for ten minutes in the evening. “I assure you that you will not have any threat from police, security forces or the Hurriyat, but stray dogs,’’ said Rashid.

Giving figures to justify his bill, Rashid said that there were 48,949 stray dogs in Srinagar alone as per the survey conducted by Human Society International. This means that there were 350 stray dogs per sq km, he added.

Similarly, as per he survey of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation there were one stray dog for every 13 people, he said, adding that 3.5 lakh pups are born every year as a stray dog gives birth to 14 pups.

“Sajjad Sahab (Lone) is not present in the House, but two brothers died of dog bite in his constituency 15 days ago,” he said explaining the House the gravity of the situation. Every month there are 5-8 cases of dog bite, he said, adding that 28 people were bitten by stray dogs in his own Langat constituency during 2012.

As the member finished his speech, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Syed Basharat Bukhari intervened requesting the Deputy Chief Minister to allow the Bill for discussion in the House. “We may not later support it when it comes for consideration, but let us know as to what problem the people were facing on account of stray dogs,” he added.