Biju statue defacement dominate Orissa Assembly

Bhubaneswar, Aug 3 (UNI) For the third consecutive day today the issue of defacement of Biju Patnaik statue by miscreants figured in the Orissa Assembly.

Treasury Bench members and Opposition Congress indulged in wordy duel over the issue soon after the question hour forcing Speaker Maheswar Mohanty to adjourn the House twice for a total period of 45 minutes.

The issue stalled the proceedings of the Assembly on August 1 and yesterday as the Treasury Bench members and Opposition trooped into the well of the House and raised slogan against each other leading to series of adjournments both during the pre-lunch and post-lunch session.

The Orissa Assembly had to adjourn for the third day consecutively after the question hours as the Speaker failed to pacify the agitated ruling party and Opposition members.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, however, made a statement in the House yesterday on the issue to the chagrin of the Congress members holding a former district party leader of masterminding the barbaric act.

He said police had arrested ten people, including the Congress leader and nine of them had confessed to the crime.

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