Hot words in MP Assy over Kukshi clash

Bhopal, July 23 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh Assembly witnessed heated exchanges over a communal clash in Dhar district's Kukshi town today.

As soon as proceedings got underway after the lunch recess, Leader of the Opposition Jamuna Devi raised the matter under Point of Information and demanded a statement from the government.

Congress members Sajjan Singh Verma, Govind Singh and Raj Narayan Singh rose in unison to support Ms Devi.

After the opposition members began speaking at the top of their voices, Agriculture Minister Ch Chandrabhan Singh, Mr Shankar Lal Tiwari (BJP) and a few others protested. A heated exchange ensued.

Mr Verma and Mr Satyadev Katare (Cong) alleged that communal riots were taking place in the state while adding that both Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Minister of State for Home Nagendra Singh were not present in the House.

''Police failed to control the Kukshi disturbances. The situation is constantly deteriorating due to inadequate security personnel,'' alleged Ms Devi.

''The Leader of the Opposition has conveyed her feelings to the government and the latter will respond if it deems fit,'' said Deputy Speaker Hazarilal Raghuvanshi. Despite his urging both sides to be calm, the exchange continued for about ten minutes. Expressing annoyance, Mr Raghuvanshi said that it was regrettable the members were disobeying the Chair.

Meanwhile, Power Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya also sought to know, through Point of Information, under which procedure Ms Devi was demanding the statement. Mr Tiwari accused the opposition of raking up the matter for unalloyed political ends and that led to the Congress members again speaking in unison.

''As the matter concerns my assembly constituency, I am leaving for Kukshi to take stock of the situation,'' said Ms Devi.

UNI