GUWAHATI, July 12 � Assam Assembly Speaker Pranab Gogoi today rejected an Adjournment Motion moved by members of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) on the issue of police firing near Dispur on June 22, which resulted in the death of three persons. Members of the AIUDF, meanwhile, staged a walkout in protest against the Speaker�s decision.
Moving the Adjournment Motion, Hafiz Basir Ahmed Qasimi (AIUDF) said that the government violated the democratic rights of the people by launching an offensive against the demonstrators on June 22. He said that the authorities failed to control the situation and resorted to firing. He pointed out that the situation could have been controlled without killing people.
Prafulla Kumar Mahanta (AGP) said that the agitators were demanding a clear-cut land policy and land settlement to the landless people, but the authorities used lethal weapons to control the situation, which resulted in death of three persons, including a nine year old child, while, some others received injuries. He said that several questions on the events of the day remained unanswered. He pointed out that ASTC buses were burnt down only 200 yards away from the Fire Brigade station and till date those involved in burning down of the buses have not been arrested despite the fact that video footage of the same is available. He asked as to who parked the buses at the spot and where did the drivers and conductors of the buses go.
Mahanta referred to a meeting that the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had with the DGPs and IGPs on August 26 last year in which the police forces were asked not to use lethal measures in crowd control measures. He expressed the apprehension that such a situation may arise in the state again in view of the fact that different organizations have launched movements against construction of mega dams.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilamani Sen Deka opposed the motion and said that the Opposition�s demand for admitting the motion was not sustainable. He said that the authorities were forced to use force on June 22 after 28 policemen, including the Senior Superintendent of Police of Guwahati city, were injured when the demonstrators attacked them.
He said that the government has already ordered a probe into the incident and 18 cases have been registered. Three persons have been arrested and one got bail from the High Court. He also referred to several instances when Adjournment Motions were rejected during the time of AGP in power.
After hearing both sides, the Speaker rejected the Motion saying that it was a law and order issue and the government has already ordered a probe. However, not satisfied with the Speaker�s verdict, the AIUDF members staged a walk out from the House.
