The Madhya Pradesh government agreed for a CBI probe into the killing of IPS officer Narendra Kumar following ruckus created by the opposition Congress in the assembly resulting in the house being adjourned for the day.
The issue of the CBI probe was raised by leader of opposition Ajay Singh during question hour who said the opposition had moved an adjournment motion over the issue which ought to be discussed.
However, speaker Ishwardas Rohani said the adjournment motion could be discussed after the question hour. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan intervened and said his government was ready to debate any issue raised by the opposition and urged the speaker to suspend question hour and take up the adjournment motion for discussion.
At the CM's request, the speaker took up the motion for discussion.
But not in any mood for discussions, Congress MLAs, donning black scarfs as a mark of protest, stormed into the well of the house and demanded the announcement for a CBI probe by Mr. Chauhan immediately.
When the MLAs did not return to their seats even after repeated requests, the speaker adjourned the house for the day.
Later, Mr. Chauhan announced that the death of the officer would be probed by the CBI.
“The opposition members don’t want to discuss or debate any issue, including the CBI probe. They only want to play politics over the issue and defame the government,” Mr. Chauhan announced outside the assembly.
“Action has already been taken against the criminals. But we sympathise with the grieving relatives of the officer and order a CBI probe. Madhu Rani Tewatia is a daughter of Madhya Pradesh and she will continue to work here,” he further said.
While Mr. Chauhan blamed the opposition of running away from a debate, the opposition levelled the same charge on the government.
“Bowing to our pressure, the government has ordered a CBI probe but by avoiding discussion inside the house and making the announcement outside, the government has shied away from its responsibility and lowered the dignity of the house,” said the leader of opposition Mr. Ajay Singh.
IPS officer Narendra Kumar was allegedly crushed to death last week by a tractor driver suspected to be associated with the stone mining mafia in Morena district.
Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh vidhan sabha, which started business after being adjourned for ten days (3rd March to 13th March), was adjourned for the day following unruly behaviour by the opposition.
The Bandh called by the Congress to protest against the death of the officer and demand a CBI probe was “successful” as almost all shops and other commercial establishments across the city remain closed.
Mr. Ajay Singh thanked the people of Bhopal for supporting the opposition's call and said it proved people had lost faith in the ruling BJP government.
Congress workers kept a “tight vigil”, roaming the city in open jeeps and ensuring shops remained closed.
Medical stores and government offices remained open, as also did the Indian Coffee House, the city's loyal “press hangout” since 1969.
