Srinagar, March 12 -- BJP members staged a walkout from the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday after a war of words with NC MLAs over the detention and baton charge of protesting daily-wage employees of the Jal Shakti department.

Scores of Jal Shakti (PHE) department workers and daily-wagers were baton-charged and detained on Monday during demonstrations in Srinagar and Jammu as they marched towards the Assembly and the chief minister's residence demanding release of their wages and regularisation. Their march was foiled by police authorities.

MLA Vikram Randhawa, supported by BJP members, blamed the government for forcing daily-wagers to take to the streets, arguing that despite promises made by the National Conference, the budget ...