Jammu, April 2 -- Legislators across parties frowned upon the absence of senior officers from the gallery of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday, prompting Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to flag the issue to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

The issue was raised by National Conference legislator Nazir Ahmad Gurezi towards the end of the Question Hour, drawing support from members across both treasury and opposition benches, who rose from their seats in protest.

The Speaker assured the protesting members that the House has taken note of their concerns, stressing that it is imperative for the officers concerned to be present whenever questions related to their departments are taken up.

"It is neither reasonable nor feasible for the entir...