Pandemonium in Orissa Assembly over Naxal attack

Bhubaneswar, Feb 18 (UNI) The Naxalite mayhem of February 15 continued to rock Orissa Assembly as the Opposition trooped into the well during Question Hour today demanding a motion on the issue be taken up first.

Agitated members shouted slogans, attempted to climb the podium, broke the Speaker's microphone and snatched the calling bell and papers, forcing Speaker Maheswar Mohanty to adjourn the House till 1230 hours and finally for lunch till 1500 hours.

Trouble started as soon as the House assembled to take up business during the Question Hour.

Leader of Opposition J B Pattnaik stood up to say that they had moved a motion on the Naxalite attack, which he said, was more important in view of the safety and security of the people.

However, the Speaker said since the Business Advisory Committee meeting had been convened at 1200 hours, the matter would be taken up there and the Question Hour should continue.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty, speaking in the same vein said, the government was prepared to discuss the motion in the House.

The Speaker, without paying any heed to the Opposition's demand, asked the Finance Minister to reply to a question.

At this Congress members T P Bahinipati and Anup Sai tried to climb to the podium to prevent the Speaker from conducting the business.

The House plunged into chaos as Mr Bahinipati broke the Speaker's microphone and snatched the papers form the podium.

Sensing trouble, the Speaker adjourned the House at 1040 till 1230 hours. But after reassembling, the House was soon adjourned by Deputy Speaker Prahallad Dora till lunch at 1500 hours.

The Assembly also witnessed uproarious scenes last Saturday as the Opposition occupied the well, disrupted the Question Hour demanding Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's resignation following the Maoist attack at Nayagarh in which 13 police personnel were killed.

Finance Minister P C Ghadei had presented the annual budget for 2008-09 amidst the din.

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