RS adjourned over Nandigram, Katara issues

New Delhi, Apr 26: The Rajya Sabha was today adjourned till 1200 hrs after the Opposition raised a din in the House demanding discussion over the Nandigram, Katara detention and the arrest of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

As soon as the House assembled, Opposition members demanded to take up a discussion over the Nandigram issue instead of the Question Hour.

Rajya Sabha Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekawat, who was in the Chair, swore-in noted Agricultral Scientist M S Swaminathan as a nominated member of the House.

In the obituary reference, Mr Shekawat expressed shock and grief at the death of former Rajya Sabha member Ram Gopal Sisodia. Mr Sisodia was the Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh. He was also the Minister of State for Finance.

The House also deplored the terror attacks in Algeria and Casablanca on April 11, 2007 and expressed solidarity with the people of the two countries.

Most of the Opposition members were on the feet soon after, demanding to take up the detention of BJP MP Babu Bhai Katara in a human trafficking case, the violence at Nandigarm in West Bengal for discussion and arrest of breakaway Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

Despite the Chairman's repeated pleas, the furore intensified interspersed with slogan shouting.

UNI