The Congress-led UDF opposition on Wednesday created a furore in Kerala Assembly over the law and order situation, leading to adjournment of the House.
Trouble started during Zero Hour when the opposition sought to move an adjournment motion on the law and order situation and demanded resignation of Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, alleging that the police had “failed to protect people from gangsters“.
Denying the charges, Mr. Balakrishnan said the UDF was deliberately creating a “smokescreen” over the issue.
On the opposition demand for a CBI probe in to the Paul Muthoot George murder case, he said there was no need for it as investigation was progressing and the High Court had considered the matter. “Let the court decide on it,” he said, adding that the government had nothing to hide in the case.
Amid heated exchanges, opposition leader Oommen Chandy alleged that when Mr. Balakrishnan was in the opposition he had gone to a college in the city and escorted Omprakash, a gangster arrested in the case, away from a student agitation on the campus.
Mr. Chandy alleged Omprakash was an activist of CPI(M) student wing, Student Federation of India.
Irked by the remark, Mr. Balakrishnan said he was ready to resign if Mr. Chandy proved the charges. He said he had gone to the campus, but had not escorted Omprakash.
As the opposition protested in the well, the Chair rushed through the business and adjourned the House sine-die. Thursday was the last day of the session.
Earlier, Mr. Balakrishnan said the law and order situation in Kerala was far better as compared to other states. That was the reason why ‘India Today’ selected Kerala for the Law and Order Award 2008, he said.
Later, UDF opposition activists staged a dharna before the Secretariat in protest against the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the state.
Keywords: Kerala, CPI(M), Congress, Paul Muthoot Murder, Law and Order
