UPA gheraos J'khand Assembly, 1000 workers detained

Ranchi, Sep 11: About 1000 UPA activists were detained when the main Opposition UPA ghearoed the Jharkhand Assembly yesterday, protesting Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari's issuance of defection notices to three Legislators.

In related development, the Speaker told the advocates of the three Legislators that he would actively consider their appeal for more time for the hearing.

The UPA party workers gathered near the Assembly premises, which was covered under tight security blanket, and started slogans.

So far, no untoward incident had been reported.

Mr Anos Ekka sought time from the Speaker to appear for the hearing, sceduled to conclude today.

The Speaker had asked Anos Ekka, Kamlesh Singh (both rebel Ministers) and Stephen Marandi (Ind) to explain today itself, three days ahead of the September 14 floor test of the Arjun Munda government in the Assembly, why their memberships should not be quashed.

Mr Ekka, now out of the state, cited ill health and sought time from the Speaker to appear before him.

Two companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF), about 200 policemen and 50 police officers were engaged to ensure security in the Assembly premises.

The UPA yesterday gheraoed Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari's residence here for a brief while.

Today, the Supreme Court is to hear the petition filed by three MLAs urging the Speaker to restrain from proceeding with the petitions pending against them and seeking their disqualification.

Four Ministers of the Arjun Munda Cabinet resigned on September five precipitating a crisis for the government. On request of the Chief Minister, the Governor allowed a trial of strength by September 15. The Munda Cabinet took a decision to seek vote of confidence on September 14.

Following this, some BJP MLAs moved the petition before the Speaker, seeking disqualification of the rebels under the Anti- Defection law.

UNI

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