Uproar in MP Assembly over Indore flare-up

Bhopal, Mar 15 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Assembly today witnessed an uproar with the opposition Congress resorting to slogan-shouting in the well of the House and later staging a walkout alleging governmental apathy in initiating action against RSS and BJP members involved in a recent communal flare-up in Indore.

The walkout, led by Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi (Cong), was staged during discussion on a call attention notice moved by Mr Sajjan Singh Verma and Mr Arif Aqueel (both Cong) and Dr Sunilam (SP).

Alleging government patronage to RSS and BJP workers, the Congress raised slogans seeking the resignation of the Home Minister and the Chief Minister.

Minister of State for Home Nagendra Singh, in his reply, said the government would ensure that riots did not break out infuture. He denied the Opposition's contention that the flare-up was the outcome of factionaliam in the ruling BJP.

''There is no groupism in the BJP and we stand united. Criminals are not treated as per caste or political affiliation,'' he said, adding 157 people were arrested in connection with 30 cases of communal nature registered at Indore over the past two months.

Ms Devi and other Congress legislators protested the absence of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from the House during debate on key issues, but Speaker Ishwardas Rohani intervened saying the Chief Minister had sought his permission to visit hail-hit areas.

The Speaker directed the Minister to repeat his main reply thrice. Proceedings were disrupted as SP member Sunilam, without the chair's permission, continued to speak to press his demand for taking up a call attention notice on Sub-Inspector Chetna Sharma's murder allegedly involving Indian Police Service officer Rajabahu Singh.

Denying Mr Verma's charge that the riots were pre-planned, Mr Singh said the flare-up on March 11 and 12 took place in the aftermath of minor incidents.

Mr Aqueel alleged that infighting in the ruling BJP, following a reception granted to Public Works Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, led to riots. Mr Verma, however, alleged that RSS and BJP workers assaulted police personnel while attacking Chhatripura Police Station.

Mr Aqueel, Mr Verma and a few other Congress members staged a walkout for the day.

The Speaker also named BJP members Laxman Singh and Usha Thakur for speaking sans permission.

UNI