Afzal issue rocks Lok Sabha; forces adjournments

New Delhi, Nov 23: The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice today after the slogan-shouting BJP-Shiv Sena members trooped into the well of the House demanding that Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru be hanged immediately without being shown any mercy.

As soon as the House assembled for taking up Question Hour, the BJP-Shiv Sena members lept to their feet, waving placards, newspapers clippings and chanting slogans 'Afzal Ko Faansi Do (Hang Afzal), accusing the government of being soft towards the minority.

The Samajwadi Party members also trooped into the well, accusing the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre of attempting to dislodge the Mulayam Singh government in Uttar Pradesh. They also charged the Centre with not clearing the gas supply from Krishna-Godavari offshore basin of Kakinada for the Dadri power plant being set up by the Reliance India Limited.

Failing to restore order, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee first adjourned the House till 1115 hrs, but when the House reassembled the BJP-Shiv Sena combine and the SP members again entered the well, creating pandemonium following which the Chair again adjourned the House till 1400 hrs.

UNI