Furore in Orissa Assembly over security training

Bhubaneswar,Mar 9: Peeved over the police training of Assembly staff to keep peace and harmony in the House, the Opposition today flayed Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, describing his action as 'undemocratic'.

Raising the issue during zero hour, several Congress members drew the Speaker's attention to news reports on security training to the Assembly staff to control the Opposition in the house.

They also took exception to the Speaker's interview in a local TV channel in this regard and sought a clarification on the necessity of police training to the watch and ward staff of the Assembly.

Describing the Speaker's action as 'unfortunate', Congress members alleged that he was trying to have a confrontation with the Opposition on the pretext of safety of the house.

Mr Mohanty's repeated clarification did not pacify the angry MLAs, who were seen on their feet, asserting that the dignity of the house had been lowered with the police training of the assembly staff.

Mr Mohanty drew loud protests from the Opposition when he, while clarifying the matter, said he had provided training to the Assembly staff to keep peace and harmony in the house.

Orissa Gana Parishad member Arun De said the Opposition would also be trained to counter the Assembly staff in the house. ''Members would henceforth bring revolvers with them for self defence inside the well of the house.'' Congress deputy leader Narashingha Mishra said the entire Opposition got an impression that the House had provided security training to its staff to handle them.

He said the Speaker had every right to name a member or ask him to vacate the house but providing training to the assembly staff to counter the Opposition inside the well was an undemocratic practice.

Mr Mishra questioned as to how could assembly staff physically obstruct a member inside the house and asked the Speaker to clarify his stand.

The Speaker, who said his statement had been misunderstood and misinterpreted by newsmen, later pacified the opposition by announcing that the training of the security staff was not meant for the Opposition members.

UNI