Kerala: Cong-led Oppn stages walkout

Thiruvananthapuram, July 23: The Congress-led Opposition staged a walkout in the Kerala Assembly today protesting against the Government's refusal to entertain an adjournment motion on the reported observations by the Supreme Court and the High Court against the Government and the police.

Seeking leave for the motion, Prof K V Thomas (Cong) alleged that the Supreme Court had severely indicted the Government for not providing police protection for the conduct of entrance test by the Private Medical College Managements' Association.

The High Court criticised the police for not taking action against the persons responsible for a hawala racket involving Rs 40 lakh, he said and alleged constitutional violation by the Government and collapse of the rule of law.

Replying to notice for the motion, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said neither the Supreme Court nor the High Court had made any adverse remarks against the Government.

The Apex Court was yet to pass an order on the petition of the Managements' Association seeking protection by Central security forces to conduct the entrance test, he said.

Regarding the reported observation of the High Court against the police, Mr Balakrishnan said the remarks were about a particular incident in the jurisdiction of the Kondotti police.

The Cirlce Inspector and Sub-Inspector of the Kondotti police station and an Assistant Sub-Inspector of the Special Branch Police have been suspended for deriliction of duty.

A special team headed by the District Superintendent of Police, Malappuram, had been deputed to investigate the case relating to the hawala racket.

Speaker K Radhakrishnan refused leave for the motion following the statement of the Minister.

Leading the walkout, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy alleged that the Government failed in its primary responsibility of providing security to all sections of people.

What was happening in the State was open challenge to the rule of law, he said and warned the Government of serious consequences, if it failed to take corrective steps.

UNI