BJP stages walkout in Lok Sabha over Nandigram issue

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) The BJP members staged a walk out in the Lok Sabha after Home Minister Shivraj Patil's statement that six people were killed in police firing in Nandigram.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the reply, the members asked Mr Patil to spell out the Centre's policy on the SEZ issue ''as it was not confined to West Bengal alone''.

Earlier, the Rajya Sabha had to be adjourned till tomorrow after Opposition uproar over Mr Patil's statement over the same issue.

However, the minister assured the lower house that more details would provided to the members.

When Mr M K Swain (BJP) insisted a statement over the SEZ policy, the Chair said as it was only preliminary information, a policy statement should not be expected.

''When the complete reply comes from the government, the same can be expected,'' it said.

Mr Patil assured that the government would come up with a policy statement and take all possible steps to resolve the issue.

Mr Patil said he had been directed by the Rajya Sabha Chairman to collect information on the incident.

''I have gathered the information from my telephonic conversation with the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharji. The state government is yet to get to the bottom of the incident,'' he said.

The police had to resort to firing only after lathicharge and tear gas failed to control the mob, Mr Patil explained.

When the BJP members were leaving the House, the treasury and the supporting party members shouted ''Go Go''.

UNI