Congress-led UDF opposition disrupted the Kerala Assembly proceedings for the second consecutive day today demanding a CBI probe into the killing of a Youth Congress activist allegedly by ruling CPI(M) members in Kannur district. Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan was forced to suspend the question hour and the zero hour after a heated war of words between the opposition and treasury benches over the issue. As the opposition members encircled the podium of the Speaker blocking his view with their banner and placards, he adjourned the House for the day. Later talking to the reporters, Sreeramakrishnan said he was not against the oppositions' protest but they should follow "minimum discipline" that would allow the Speaker to carry out the business of the House. Referring to the banner put in front of the podium, he asked how he could continue to conduct the session without being able to view the members. He also rejected the opposition charges that he was denying the democratic rights of the opposition in taking up people's issues in the House. Earlier, the Speaker was forced to adjourn the House for a brief period during the question hour after the opposition members moved to the well of the House. Though the House reassembled after a break of half and hour, he suspended both the question hour and zero hour as the trouble mounted up. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala told reporters that the LDF government was "solely responsible" for the disruption of the House proceedings for the last two days. He alleged that the state government was trying to protect the accused in criminal cases, referring to the killing of YC activist Shuhaib. It was the "failure" of the home department, he said. The UDF was on an agitational path in and outside the Assembly demanding a CBI inquiry into the killing of Shuhaib at Mattannur in Kannur district allegedly by CPI(M) activists on February 12. The family members of the slain YC worker had also demanded a CBI investigation into the incident. As Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the demand for CBI probe yesterday, the UDF leaders had made it clear that they would pursue legal way in this regard.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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