Police 'attack' on Cong, uproar in Odisha assembly

As soon as the House assembled after lunch, Leader of the Opposition Bhupnder Singh was on his toes accusing the police personnel of jumping the barricade and beating up Congress workers holding a rally.

Though Congress activists were protesting in a democratic manner and were yet to go ahead with their plan to gherao the Assembly, poliemen attacked them, Singh alleged and claimed that policemen brought from Chhattisgarh were engaged in attacking the Congress workers.

The house plunged into turmoil as Congress legislators trooped to the well shouting slogans against the BJD government. A chair was also thrown into the Speaker's podium.

Countering the opposition, BJD's Pradeep Maharathy and Samir Das alleged that the violence occurred as Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Niranjan Patnaik instigated party workers.

BJD MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain alleged that police women were molested by the Congressmen during the incident.

As uproarious scenes persisted in the Assembly and an opposition member climbed the Speaker's desk, the house was adjourned for the day after passage of three bills amidst the din.