Congress stages walk-out in Bengal assembly

Kolkata, Nov 27 (UNI) The Opposition Congress today staged a noisy walkout in the West Bengal assembly protesting against the Speaker's refusal to intervene into incidents of alleged attacks on party workers by the ruling party members.

Raising the issue immediately after Question Hour, Congress Legislature Party leader Manas Bhunia alleged that the ruling party workers, in connivance with the state administration, had attacked and assaulted their workers and supporters in different parts of the state creating a fear psychosis among them.

Citing examples, Dr Bhunia also demanded an immediate statement from the chief minister on the issue.

''A number of students and party supporters of Alipurduar College in Jalpaiguri district came under unprovoked attacks by ruling party members who also ransacked the Congress office on November 25,'' he said.

The CLP leader said in a similar incident at Shantipur in Nadia district, several party workers were assaulted and taken into custody by the district police after the death of two CPI(M) members. Yesterday 17 Congress supporters of Katwa college in Burdwan district were arrested after false charges were levelled against them, he alleged.

But when Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim did not pay any heed to Dr Bhunia's demand for a statement from Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacherjee, the entire Congress bench started shouting slogans and walked out of the House.

They, however, returned a few minutes later and rejoined the business of the House.

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