Congress members displace mace, damage gravel

Kolkata, Mar 13 (UNI) Pandemonium broke out in the West Bengal Assembly today when the Congress members alleged that a party MLA was threatened of dire consequences by police and demanded a statement from Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in this regard. Criticising the Chief Minister for not taking any action, they alleged that Mr Manoj Chakraborty, party MLA from Baharampur, was being threatened by two police officials for the past six months. When the Deputy Speaker refused to give permission to CLP leader Manas Bhuniya to raise a point of order, the agitated members trooped into the well of the House and tried to flee with the mace besides damaging the gravel.

However, the security staff resisted the members from taking out the mace.

Meanwhile, Speaker Hasim Abdul Halim entered the House and rebuked the Congress members for displacing the mace and lowering the dignity of the House.

Cautioning the members, the Speaker said, '' I will not allow such type of incident inside the House, which is a place for debates and discussions to maintain healthy Parliamentary system. '' The Speaker reminded that an all party meet had decided not to touch the mace and maintain the decorum of the House.

He also said a pay cut would be made from the allowance of the erring members for damaging the gravel.

UNI ADG SJC/src1824