Speaker regrets 'incidents', warns members against recurrence

New Delhi, Aug 24 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today condemned the 'clash' between the RJD and JD(U) members in the House and warned them that none would be spared if such incidents recurred.

The House was adjourned twice after some MPs from the opposition NDA alleged intervention of the Centre in the law and order matters of Bihar, followed by the JD(U) and the RJD members coming close to clashing in the the house after remarks by senior JD(U) MP Prabhunath Singh.

When the House reassembled at 1500 hours, the Speaker appealed to the members to maintain and enhance dignity of the house instead of denigrating its image.

He said he had learnt that after the House was adjourned, some incidents had taken place in which indecent language was used.

This should have not happened, he said, adding any 'word' found unparliamentary would be deleted from the record.

Assuaging the sentiments of some members who expressed that they were not safe in the House, he said they would be fully protected and he would not spare anybody indulging in such kinds of action.

Speaking on a point of order, Railway Minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad cautioned that if the members continued to behave in this manner, more incidents like that in UP assembly in 1997 would be witnessed in this House.

Referring to two incidents in Bihar -- in Lekhi sarai and Arrah, he said these incidents were brought to the notice of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar but no action had been taken so far.

At this point, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta said that nothing should be allowed which further excerbated the situation.

Mr Prasad, while apologising for the behaviour of RJD members, however warned that they would not tolerate it if any insinuation was made against them.

BJP's M A Kharabela Swain, who said he had been ''terrified'' when a RJD MP had thrown an electrical appliance at him, said that today's incidents indicated that their lives were not safe in the House and sought an assurance from the Speaker in this regard.

Eds Pls pick up suitably from earlier series.

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