MP Assembly pays homage to Mumbai blast victims

Bhopal, July 18 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly today paid homage to the victims of Mumbai serial blasts -- in which at least 176 died and about 700 were injured -- and observed two-minute silence to mourn the deaths.

Condemning the blasts, the House stressed the need for dealing with terrorists with an iron hand.

The state assembly also condoled the deaths of at least 30 tribals in one of the deadliest Naxalite-attacks at Erabor village in Chhattisgarh's Dantewara district yesterday.

The legislative assembly also condoled the deaths of senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan, former Union Ministers Bansilal and A B A Gani Khan Choudhary, former legislators Amolak Chand Chhajed, Ramchandra Choudhary, Tumanlal and Mayadevi Salwar.

As soon as the proceedings began, Speaker Ishwardas Rohani mentioned the names of the deceased and said 176 people died in the Mumbai blasts on July 11.

Former Chief Minister Babulal Gaur, Leader of the Opposition in Assembly Jamuna Devi and floor leaders of other political leaders paid tributes to the deceased.

Later, the House was adjourned for 10 minutes.

The monsoon session of the assembly -- celebrating its golden jubilee year -- got underway yesterday with the address by President A P J Abdul Kalam.

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