Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The Assembly Thursday witnessed unpleasant scenes when security personnel forcibly lifted agitating SC/ST MLAs of Congress and BJP, who were on a hunger strike and sitting in front of the CM’s chamber inside the Assembly building since Wednesday. They demanded fulfillment of their five-point charter of demands which has forced them to hold strike inside the well of the Assembly.
The members demand 38 per cent reservations for SC/ST students at medical, engineering and other technical education institutions among others.
The incident took place at 9.30 am when the assembly security personnel approached the agitating members asking them to vacate the place. However, as they stuck to their decision, police used force and lifted them away from the place foiling their plan to accost the Chief Minister.
Immediately, BJD lawmakers occupied the protest area. Both security and ruling party MLAs encircled the area preventing the striking MLAs from entering it.
The ruling party members also prevented media persons from entering assembly premises for some time.
Shortly, the agitating MLAs shifted their dharna place to the Speaker’s chamber. Congress MLA Bhujabal Majhi, one of the agitating members, said they will intensify their strike if the government fails to fulfill their demands.
Their protest continued while the assembly proceedings began at 10.30 am. At 3 pm, when the house resumed, the members shifted their place again and continued their strike in the well of the house sitting right beneath the Speaker’s podium.
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra sought ‘substantial intervention’ from the Speaker in this matter.
“When the state government in 2015 has already declared to implement the Orissa Reservation of Vacancies (ORV) Act, why it hasn’t been implemented yet?” he asked and urged the Speaker to look into their demand at the earliest to prevent them from continuing their strike.
Speaker Niranjan Pujari on the other hand nullified their strike inside assembly stating it ‘illegal’. Speaking to media, Mishra said, “The use of security force against MLAs is inhuman, undignified and highly condemnable.”
Echoing Speaker’s views, BJD chief whip Ananta Das said, “Resorting to hunger strike on assembly premises is illegal.” However, the agitating members continued their strike even after the house was adjourned at 5 pm.
