Pandemonium in Orissa assembly over Collector''s abduction

Bhubaneswar, Feb 18 (PTI) Orissa assembly witnessedpandemonium scenes for the second day today over abduction ofMalkangiri District Collector R V Krishna with oppositionand treasury bench members virtually clashing in the Speaker''spodium.

The uproar erupted as soon as the house assembled forthe day for question hour. As Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat askedministers to reply to questions put by treasury bench members,Oppsition MLAs rushed towards his podium shouting slogansat the top of their voice.

Accusing the BJD government of mishandling thesituation arising out of Malkangiri Collector abductionincident, a section of Congress MLAs succeded in occupyingthe Speaker''s podium despite resistance from marshals whileothers continued slogan shouting from the well.

With Opposition members occupying the Speaker''spodium, the ruling BJD members also rushed there to drive themaway. As the treasury bench members and opposition MLAsvirtually clashed with each other on the podium, speaker Amatadjourned the house till 3 pm.

Admitting that the ruling party members had alsoclimbed the Speaker''s podium, senior BJD member and formerparliamentary affairs minister Padmanav Behera clarified thatthey had no intention of creating any unpleasant situation.

"BJD members went to the podium to request theagitating opposition members to return to their seats forfacilitating a discussion on the collector abductionincident," Behera said.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs criticised the stategovernment and the chief minister accusing them of not takingthe House into confidence.

"The government announced regarding halt of combingoperation outside while the assembly is in session," allegedthe leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh. The House wasadjourned only after four minutes of business.