MLA's attackers still eluding cops in MP

Bhopal, Mar 5 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Himmat Kothari today informed the Assembly that the government had taken serious note of an assault on a member and a whole-hearted endeavour was underway to net the accused.

Replying to the call attention notice of Mr Rajnarayan Singh Purni (Congress), the Minister said, ''a special police team -- led by a sub-divisional officer -- has been formed to conduct an inquiry. A Rs 10,000 reward was announced for information about the accused.'' Dissatisfied over the response, the Congress staged a walkout.

Pointing out that a gunman was severely injured and his carbine snatched during the assault, Mr Purni (Cong) alleged that the law and order situation had collapsed and added that the police administration was rendered ineffective courtesy political interference.

A remark by Mr Manoj Patel (Bharatiya Janata Party) was expunged by Speaker Ishwardas Rohani who said, ''this is a case of assault on a member and should be taken seriously.'' Mr Purni lamented that though the Chief Minister was informed about the assault neither were the accused arrested nor his bodyguard Shyam Kumar's weapon recovered. He demanded a probe by an officer of the rank of additional director-general. Mr Purni was targeted by unidentified ruffians on the Bhopal-Narmada Nagar road on January 24.

UNI AG-AC 1843