Cong accuses Odisha govt of attempting to shield minister

The Odisha Assembly was disrupted today as opposition Congress MLAs stormed into the well accusing the state government of trying to shield a minister allegedly involved in an abduction case and sought clarification from the chief minister.

The Speaker asked the Government to give a statement tomorrow in the House on the issue. The House witnessed pandemonium after Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra slammed the government over the alleged abduction of one Sugri Ranbida in Rusuda area of Bargarh district and said he has submitted a privilege notice on the issue in view of government's inaction.

Congress MLAs sought to know how state Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Snehangini Chhuria's name was not included in the FIR registered by the police though her name was mentioned in the complaint. "Exclusion of the minister's name from the case shows there is an attempt to shield her," Mishra said.