The Hindu : Front Page : Four UDF MLAs stage day-long sit-in

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 14, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Four UDF MLAs stage day-long sit-in

Special Correspondent

To press for Forest Minister’s resignation and a discussion on police action

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On a relatively calm day on Thursday, Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) members staged a walkout in the Assembly during zero hour announcing a day-long sit-in outside the House by four of its members for the duration of the day’s session in protest against the police action against Youth Congress activists in the capital on Wednesday seeking an investigation into the Merchiston land deal.

The Opposition walkout came after Speaker K. Radhakrishnan denied leave for an adjournment motion on the police action sought to be moved by K.C. Venugopal (Congress) and others.

Walkout

Announcing the walkout, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said A.P. Anil Kumar (Congress), Abdul Rahiman Randathani (IUML), Thomas Chazhikkadan (KC-M) and K.K. Shaju (JSS) would stage a sit-in in the foyer of the Assembly for the duration of the day’s sitting in protest against the Government’s refusal to allow any discussion on the subject and to press for Forest Minister Benoy Viswam’s resignation in connection with the land deal.

Earlier, seeking leave for the motion, Mr. Venugopal accused the police of having used force recklessly against the Youth Congress activists causing injuries to Youth Congress State president T. Siddique and activist Shibu. Several Youth Congress workers had been arrested and cases charged against them for their having tried to burn Forest Minister Benoy Viswom in effigy.

Kodiyeri’s reply

Replying to the charges made by the Congress member, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the police had observed utmost restraint and used only water cannons to disperse the violent Youth Congress workers, who had at one point threatened to barge onto the Assembly premises. The Government would not permit lawlessness in the name of protests, he added.

Making a statement before the walkout, Mr. Chandy said the Opposition had the legitimate right to voice its protest against the various acts of omission and commission of the Government.

The MLAs ended the fast after the House rose for the day around 8 p.m.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page