Bedlam in Tripura Assembly: 9 Cong MLAs, 33 security men hurt

AGARTALA, February 23: At least nine Congress MLAs and 33 security personnel were injured after a pitched battle broke out between them on the opening day of the 21-day budget session of the Tripura Assembly here today, reports UNI. At least nine opposition Congress MLAs and 33 watch-and-ward staff and security personnel, including an Inspector General, a Deputy Inspector General and two Superintendent of Police, were injured in the 30-minute scuffle. Trouble began as soon as the Governor entered the floor of the Assembly to give his customary speech. There was complete bedlam as opposition MLAs started ransacking tables, chairs, mikes and other furnitures and began shouting anti-government slogans. The House turned into a battle ground when security personnel present on the floor tried to prevent them. The MLAs then rushed to the well and overturned the Governor's chair before breaking the Speaker's mike and throwing away his table and chair. Governor Lt Gen (retd) K M Seth and Speaker Jitendra Sarkar entered the House amidst complete anarchy with opposition MLAs standing on tables urging Seth not to read his speech. The Governor could read out only the first para of his speech before leaving. The Speaker finally adjourned the House for 15 minutes. When the House reassembled at about 1140 hours, after a 15-minute adjournment motion, the opposition Congress did not participate in the proceedings and confined themselves to the opposition leader's chamber. The Speaker finally adjourned the House till Monday. Before terminating the proceedings for the day the House observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed parliamentarians and legislators, including Sitaram Kesri, former Tripura Chief Minister Sachindra Lal Singha, former Karnataka Chief Minister J H Patel, Congress leader Jitendra Prasad, former Union Minister V N Gadgil, former Union Home Minister Indrajit Gupta and Congress MLA Madhu Sudhan Saha.