The State Assembly was adjourned four times and important businesses like Question Hour, Zero Hour and Adjournment Motion couldn’t be conducted on Monday as Opposition BJP and Congress members insisted that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik give a Statement on the ‘deteriorating law and order situation” in the State.

As the House met for the day, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Kumar Naik urged the Speaker to suspend Question Hour and allow a discussion on the recent incidents of triple murder at Patnaikia Chhack on Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway and firing at Kendrapada.

 “The recent incidents of murder in Puri, firing at Kendrapada and sale of contraband items near Baleswar police station indicate that there has been a complete breakdown in the law and order of the State. Let the Question Hour be suspended and a discussion on this be held,” Naik urged Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro.  

As Patro did not allow, BJP members rushed into the well of the House and shouted slogans.

Unable to run proceedings, the Speaker adjourned the House at 10.33 for 10 minutes and then till 11.30 minutes.

When the House reassembled, Congress Legislature Party Leader Naraingha Mishra raised the same issues and alleged that the law and order in the State has virtually collapsed and the rule of jungles prevails.

“Three persons were killed by miscreants while thousands of police have been deployed for Ratha Yatra. A girl was raped in a bus surrounded by cops in Puri town. The Home Department is answerable to such incidents. The  Chief Minister should make a statement in the House,” he demanded.

As the Speaker didn’t give any response, Congress members rushed into the Well of the House and shouted slogans, insisting a statement from the CM only.  This time, the Speaker directed the Minister of State for Home to make a statement on the day. However, Congress members could not accept the ruling and continued shouting slogans. Patro adjourned the House at 11.56 am till 3 pm.

As Congress members demanded that Speaker consider his ruling and ask the CM to make a statement during afternoon hours, the Speaker called for an all-party meeting and adjourned the House for 20 minutes from 3.05 pm.

However, members participated in businesses only after the Speaker assured that he is examining the Opposition members’ demand of reconsideration of his ruling and would inform the House in one-two days’ time.