Lok Sabha Adjourned till 1400 Hrs on Nandigram violence

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the second time today till 1400 hrs as a determined Opposition stalled proceedings of the House demanding a discussion on Nandigram violence in which many people were killed.

As soon as the House assembled at 1200 hours after the first adjournment, Mr Prabhu Nath Singh JD(U) asked the Chair to allow a discussion on Nandigram for which he had given a notice. A similar point was made by Mr Braja Kishore Tripathi (BJD) demanding suspension of all other business of the House and a discussion on the subject.

On this, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee said insinuations were being made against the Chair without knowledge of the complete facts. He said he had called a meeting of the Opposition leaders in his Chamber yesterday and conveyed to them that an adjournment motion for which they have given the notice cannot be allowed on the issue.

They should give another notice for discussion under some other rule.

Mr Chatterjee said he had received a notice from them and had called a meeting of the leaders of different parties to discuss the matter at 1315 hrs. The Speaker said it was unbecoming that the Opposition should not allow the House to function.

He then began with the business of the House listed for the day which involved laying down of papers listed against various members.

After this, Mr Chatterjee asked Mr Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) to move his call attention motion on the situation arising out of high cost of health services and the need to evolve laws to regulate private nursing homes.

The BJP-led Opposition then trooped into the well of the House shouting slogans. These included ''Aaj na hoga koi kaam, pehle hoga Nandigram'', and ''Nandigram par charcha karo.'' Sensing the mood of the Opposition, the Speaker adjourned the House till 1400 hours.

UNI