Samata, RJD MPs clash

NEW DELHI, AUG. 20. Agitated Samata Party members today clashed in the Lok Sabha with RJD members over the reported killings of Dalits in Central Bihar, forcing adjournment of the House for 90 minutes.

Members from both the sides stormed the well and indulged in shouting. The Samata Party asserted that the law and order situation in the RJD-ruled State had worsened and dalits were being done to death.

Raising the issue during zero hour, the Samata Party member, Mr. Prabhunath Singh, said six dalits were recently massacred in Masaurhi, near Patna, and it was suspected that a Minister in the Rabri Devi Government was involved.

This infuriated the RJD members who demanded that members should be prevented from raising ``baseless'' allegations.

Criticising the Congress, an ally of the RJD in Bihar, for its silence on the issue, Mr. Prabhunath Singh said since Ms. Sonia Gandhi was not present, the deputy leader, Mr. Madhavrao Scindia, should react.

He urged the Speaker, Mr. G.M.C. Balayogi, to direct the Union Government to seek a report from the Bihar Government and take necessary action.

Finding no response from the chair, the Samata Party members stormed the well. The RJD members also moved into the well and heated exchanges followed.

As the members refused to return to their seats after repeated pleas, Mr. Balayogi adjourned the House till 2 p.m.

Member pulled up

Mr. Balayogi today pulled up the Samajwadi Party member, Mr. Akhilesh Singh, who rushed to the well as soon as the House assembled demanding action against the Uttar Pradesh Government in the wake of the reported attack on Dalits.

A visibly annoyed Speaker asked Mr. Singh to return to his seat and raise the issue during zero hour. But the member refused to oblige him.

Finally, the Samajwadi Party leader, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, deputed his party member, Mr. Salim Shervani, to pacify Mr. Singh. However, Mr. Yadav also sought to draw the Speaker's attention to the prevailing situation in Uttar Pradesh, but was overruled by the Chair and the question hour was resumed.

- PTI

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