The first day of the autumn session of the J&K Assembly session began with the Treasury and Opposition benches sparring over the role of former governor Satyapal Malik in the abrogation of Article 370.

Satyapal Malik died on August 5 this year.

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said that members will have the opportunity to speak on the issue but the session must begin with obituary references. Of the 90-member assembly, two seats remain vacant pending bye elections next month. Meanwhile, Mehraj Malik too was absent from his seat as he remains in detention under provisions of the Public Safety Act, with the Treasury Bench noting his absence of Doda MLA Mehraj Malik and protesting his detention.

Seats for five nominated members also continue to remain vacant in the Assembly.

The house then pai

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