Staff Reporter
Guwahati: A ruckus ensued in the Assembly due to a clash between the ruling and opposition MLAs over the ‘allegation of attempt to assault’. The chaos led to a halt in the proceedings of the House for about half an hour. The Speaker was forced to adjourn the House for ten minutes to restore order.
The Congress MLAs today sported black-coloured outfits as a mark of protest against the alleged attempt by BJP MLA Rupjyoti Kurmi to attack an opposition MLA last Friday. On the other hand, the AIUDF MLAs brought with them bamboo fences to symbolically protect themselves from the ruling party’s attacks. The Congress MLAs also protested before the deputy speaker Numal Momin’s chambers before the start of the day’s proceedings in the House.
During the Question Hour in the state Assembly, leader of the opposition Debabrata Saikia raised the issue of their protection. Then Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that the deputy speaker was injured in attacks by the Congress and had to be hospitalised. So, he requested the speaker to file an FIR on the incident. Moreover, the CM alleged that Congress MLA Nurul Hooda was behind the attack on the deputy speaker. The issue led to a chaotic situation, and the speaker adjourned the House for ten minutes so that order could be restored.
After resumption of the proceedings, Assembly speaker Biswajit Daimary said he had not received any details regarding the attack on the deputy speaker. He said that he will look into the matter after reviewing the CCTV footage. The BJP MLAs then demanded that Nurul Hooda should be arrested.
The CM further said, “This is the first time that allegations over an attack on the deputy speaker were made. The speaker can file an FIR so that an inquiry can be started. Or, the speaker can set up a House committee to enquire into the incident. The AIUDF MLAs have come to the Assembly with bamboo fences. What is the meaning of this?”
The AIUDF MLAs then said they brought the bamboo fences as a symbolic gesture to protect themselves from any kind of attack.
The CM retorted, “The bamboo fences can be used for protection as well as to attack. Such an incident has never happened before.”
In the meantime, the deputy speaker entered the House, and he said that a tussle occurred while he was coming out from his chamber to enter the Assembly. Congress MLAs prevented him from going into the House, and, in the melee, he was injured in one of his hands. At that time he did not feel anything, but later on he felt some pain in his wrist and had to seek medical attention.
Congress MLA Nurul Hooda then said, “I was standing in front of the deputy speaker’s chamber to protest, but I did not assault him.”
The CM then appealed to the speaker to take some steps, as he had already heard statements from both sides involved. Then, the speaker said the incident was unfortunate, and the sanctity of the House has to be maintained. He said a decision will be taken after he has reviewed CCTV footage of the incident.
LoP Debabrata Saikia had moved a ‘breach of privilege’ motion against Rupjyoti Kurmi. In this connection, the speaker stated that MLA Kurmi had apologised to the House and the objectionable words were expunged from the records. He said he has also asked Rupjyoti Kurmi not to repeat such behaviour in the future. He said there was no need for a breach of privilege motion to be moved in this regard.
The CM said, “Regarding Rupjyoti Kurmi’s behaviour, the state BJP has condemned the incident, and I have also done the same. Everyone should keep in mind that when an MLA is speaking in the House, he or she should not be interrupted. An amicable relationship should exist between all the MLAs.”
Also Read: Assam: CM, state BJP chief term Kurmi’s behaviour ‘not of BJP culture’
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