India, Oct. 1 -- A controversy has erupted in Jammu and Kashmir over a letter sent by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Law Secretary Achal Sethi to the Assembly Secretariat, objecting to the admission of a resolution seeking restoration of statehood.

The issue has now escalated into a breach of privilege motion against the two senior bureaucrats, with lawmakers questioning whether government officials can intervene in the legislative business of the elected House.

The privilege motion was moved by Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed ur Rehman Parra on Wednesday after the letter, sent ahead of the discussion on the statehood resolution, triggered objections from several political parties.

The officials had argued that the issue of restor...