Oppn disrupts Assembly proceedings

Thiruvananthapuram, June 23 (UNI) Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front today disrupted the proceedings in the Kerala Assembly demanding a judicial inquiry into the police lathicharge in connection with students' agitation.

The Opposition staged a WalkOut over the issue and later rushed to the Well of House shouting slogans demanding immediate suspension of a police official who beat up Congress Legislator T N Prathapan at Thrissur where he inaugurated an agitation by the Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists.

Amid noisy scenes, the Speaker rushed through the days proceedings and adjourned the House several hours ahead of schedule.

The KSU is on agitation demanding withdrawl of a textbook for the seventh standard that allegedly contained portions which intended ''to infuse Leftist ideology in young minds.'' Earlier, opposing the admissibility of the Adjournment Motion sought to be moved by Congress Member K C Venugopal and others, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the ongoing Opposition agitation was a pre-planned attempt to disrupt peace in the state.

The situation had reached a stage where Union Minister Vayalar Ravi was threatening the police officials, he alleged, adding the violent agitation by the Congress was nothing but an attempt to revive the party ahead of Parliament elections.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said a jungle raj prevailed in the state where the ruling party activists frequently attacked police stations to release the CPI(M) activists who were taken into custody in connection with various cases.

On the other hand, the Congress activists who led peaceful agitations were being brutally attacked by the police, Mr Chandy claimed.

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