Bedlam over threat to MLAs in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Nov 27 (UNI) Opposition Congress today stalled the question hour in the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha demanding action against a District Collector who had allegedly described a tribal legislator as a 'naxalite sympathiser' and few policemen who had threatened another legislator with dire consequences.

As the House assembled for the day, Mr Nandkumar Patel (Congress) drew the attention of the House towards the complaint of his party legislator Rajendra Pambhoi that few policemen had threatened him with dire consequences while he was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in the state capital.

He said Mr K R Pisda, Collector of naxalite infested Dantewada district, had recommended to the state government to scale down the security cover of tribal legislator Kawasi Lakma, hinting that he did not require it as he was a 'Naxalite sympathiser''.

''Even the elected representatives are not safe. The state government must make a statement in the House,'' he said and demanded suspension of the Question Hour to discuss the issue.

Mr Kawasi Lakma (Congress) said the district collector was trying to brand him as a naxalite sympathiser as he had exposed corruption in the district. ''People in my constituency Konta and even my family members had fallen prey to naxalite violence. How many relatives of the District Collector were killed by the naxalite'', he asked and demanded action against the bureaucrat.

Mr Bhupesh Baghel, Mr Ramchandra Singhdeo and Mr Ravindra Choubey (all Congress) described the incidents as 'shameful' and demanded immediate discussion on the issue and action against those responsible for it.

Though Speaker Prem Prakash Pandey said he had forwarded the complaint to the Home Minister and all necessary steps would be taken to provide adequate security to the legislators, the Congress members continued to press their demand for action against the district collector and policemen concerned. Subsequently, the Speaker adjourned the House till noon.

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