Speaker considers stringent action against Trinamool MLAs

Kolkata, Nov 30 (UNI) West Bengal Assembly Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim was considering stringent disciplinary action against the Trinamool Congress Legislators for resorting to unprecedented violence in the House.

Speaking to newsmen here this evening after nearly hour-long vandalism by the Trinamool MLAs protesting the reported arrest of party chief Mamata Banerjee near Singur, the Speaker expressed serious concern at the present trend of the country's Parliamentary democracy.

Describing the day as the ''blackest'' day in the country's democratic movement, the Speaker said under no circumtances, damage to some priceless property of the House could be accepted.

With a view to allowing the general public to see for themselves the extent of damage done by some of their elected representatives, he had decided to keep the House door open for them for the next three days for eight long hours from 1000 hrs tomorrow.

This was for the first time that such a step was being taken, Mr Hailm said.

Moreover, he said as a precautionary measure and to prevent recurrence of any such act of vandalism, he had decided to introduce 100 more special security personnel and 40 special security women force in the House from tomorrow itself.

Asked whether he was also considering stringent disciplinary action against the responsible MLAs, the Speaker replied in the positive. But the exact nature of the disciplinary action would be decided after holding meeting with the leaders of all other parties.

He said since the present session of the House would continue only for one more day on Monday, there was no use of taking any action in the present session and did not rule out the possibility of suspending AITC MLAs during the next session for their unruly behaviour.

He said at least four ruling party Legislators, two Assembly staff members and as many photo journalists were injured in today's violence and sent to hospital for treatment. Never before so many people were injured inside the House under any circumstance, the Speaker asserted to another query.

About the damage, the Speaker said he had already asked his Secretariat to assess the extent of damage to the House property, including some historical artefacts, and ensure that the loss in terms of money could be recovered from the AITC at the earliest.

Earlier, the House sat for the day to discuss a Trinamool Congress -sponsored no-confidence motion with a view to continuing the debate for about four hours. But following sudden turn of events, the discussion came to a halt midway before the motion was rejected through voice vote.

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