RS adjourned twice over Madurai media attack

New Delhi, May 10 (UNI) Slogan-shouting AIADMK MPs today forced the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha till 1400 hrs over yesterday's attack on a newspaper in Madurai, demanding dismissal of DMK Government for failing to protect freedom of the press.

As the House met again at 1200 hours, AIADMK members trooped into the well of the House even as Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan hurriedly ordered the ministers and members to table their reports on the table of the House. The AIADMK MPs sought dismissal of the DMK Government and nothing could be heard in the melee.

Mr Khan's appeals for the AIADMK members to resume their seats fell on deaf ears and he adjourned the House till 1400 hours.

Earlier, when the House assembled for the first time, the Congress MPs urged Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat to suspend the Question Hour to discuss Gujarat's fake encounter issue which they said was directly related to the working of the democratic system of the country. The Chair refused permission and advised them to defer their discussion till tomorrow. "Today is martyr's day and you should give respect", he said, but when they did not relent, the House was adjourned till 1200 hrs.

UNI