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Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007
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National

House adjourned as Assam violence triggers uproar

New Delhi Bureau

Congress condemns clashes

NEW DELHI: The November 24 violence in Guwahati during a protest demonstration by tribal students cast its shadow over the Lok Sabha proceedings on Tuesday, forcing its adjournment for an hour.

A verbal duel broke out between Kiren Rijiju (BJP) and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs B.K. Handique, who hails from Assam, in the wake of Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s suo motu statement.

Even as uproar continued, Mr. Rijiju was protesting vociferously against certain sentences in the statement, alleging these were anti-tribal. Mr. Handique sought to counter him.

BJP deputy leader V.K. Malhotra also expressed his unhappiness over the statement, saying several details about the incident were missing. As the noisy exchanges continued and as Mr. Rijiju trooped into the well, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee adjourned the House.

Earlier, when several members who had given notices wanted to speak on the subject, Mr. Chatterjee said he would allow a discussion depending on the availability of the Home Minister.

“Most unfortunate”

The Congress on Tuesday condemned the group clashes in Assam, in particular the stripping of an Adivasi woman protester.

“It is most unfortunate that group clashes in Assam have resulted in the death of one person and grievous injuries to several others,” Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told journalists.

“Barbaric incident”

“In particular, the Congress condemns the unbelievable, shameful and barbaric incident of an Adivasi woman being stripped by miscreants,” he said.

Asked if the party endorsed the government’s view, as revealed in a statement made in Parliament that said the demand of the protesting Adivasis for Scheduled Tribe status could not be met, Mr. Singhvi said the party’s stand could not be made public. “The issue is before a Commission. Our view has not been put out to the Commission. Till such time it is, it cannot be made public.”

On whether the condemnation of the incident amounted to admonishing the Congress government in the State, Mr. Singhvi said one should not see politics in everything.

“The Chief Minister has given categorical instructions that such incidents will not be tolerated and steps are being taken to bring the situation under control,” Mr. Singhvi added.

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