LS ajourned for the day on Afzal issue

New Delhi, Nov 23 (UNI) A determined BJP-Shiv Sena today stalled the Lok Sabha proceedings, demanding immediate hanging of Afzal Guru, convict in the December 13, 2001 attack on Parliament, without any mercy, forcing the Chair to adjourn the House for the day.

As soon as the House, which witnessed two adjournments earlier in the day, assembled after recess, members of the BJP and Shiv Sena started raising slogans ''Afzal ko Fansi do (Hang Afzal)'', accusing the Government of being soft towards the terrorist who had attempted to wipe out Parliament and the entire leadership of the country.

On the other hand, the Samajwadi Party members raised slogans against the Government, accusing it 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.

Meanwhile, DMK members also raised some demand which could not be heard in the din.

Soon the members belonging to BJP-Shiv Sena, Samajwadi Party, DMK and RPI trooped into the well, continuing with slogan shouting, ignoring all pleas by the chair to restore order.

Meanwhile, Mr Devendra Yadav who was in the Chair, hurried through the official business, including the introduction of the Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial (Amendment) Bill, by Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni amid pandemonium.

As din prevailed, Mr Yadav adjourned the House for the day at 1413 hours.

Earlier, soon after the House assembled for the Question Hour, the BJP-Shiv Sena members leapt 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.

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 YS/KAS/JSS MSJ HS1457