Odisha Assy Paralysed For Second Day Over Locking Up RD Women University Students
05 December, Bhubaneswar
The Odisha Assembly was paralysed for the second consecutive day Saturday as opposition Congress and the BJP members disrupted the proceedings demanding an unconditional apology from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over the locking up girl students of the Rama Devi Women University on December 3.
Speaker Niranjan Pujari was forced to adjourn the house thrice after the Congress and BJP members trooped into the Well shouted slogan protesting against confining some girl students inside the college during the inauguration of the institute by the Chief Minister.
The house could not conduct any business during the pre-lunch session as the Speaker sensing the mood of the opposition and the protest inside the Well of the house, adjourned it first at 1031hrs till 1130hrs and 1130hrs till 1230 and finally from 1231hrs till 1500 hrs for lunch.
The problem started as soon as the House assembled at 1030hrs today to take up Question Hour business, leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra said the opposition have not got any response till now over their demand for an unconditional apology from the Chief Minister over the Rama Devi students issue.
He urged the Speaker to direct the Chief Minister to make a statement in the House. But the Speaker did not pay heed to the plea and asked food supplies and consumer welfare minister to reply to a question.
Peeved at the Speakers attitude the members of the opposition Congress and the BJP rushed to the well shouted slogans against the Chief Minister and demanded an apology from the him.
The Chief Minister who was present in the house during the protest left the house immediately. Finding it difficult to conduct the business of the House, the Speaker adjourned the house thrice.
When the house reassembled at 1230 hrs there was no change in the situation. The Congress and BJP members again occupied the well and reiterated their demand.
The Speakers appeal to the opposition to cooperate with the business of the house and participate on the adjournment motion notice moved by them did not yield any result.
Pujari finally succumbed to the opposition demand and directed the government to make a statement in the house in the post lunch session over the incident and adjourned the house at 1231hrs till 1500hrs.