AGARTALA:
The Opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), on September 23, walked out from the Tripura legislative Assembly on the first day of the Monsoon Session to protest against Speaker Ratan Chakraborty.
The protest was over the adjournment motion brought by the opposition bench on the ‘police brutality’ that was witnessed during a rally of the students’ wing of the opposition party on September 15 in Agartala. At the start of the session, MLA and former minister of CPI-M, Tapan Chakraborty, brought the adjournment motion to hold a discussion on it however the Speaker disallowed it.
“During a rally of students’ wing of CPI-M, the police lathi charged, used water cannon and tear gas on them. This is not less than brutality. This led many youths to sustain grievous injuries. And discussion on this matter is necessary,” Chakraborty said.
When the Speaker did not allow him to speak, CPI-M lawmakers stepped in the well of the House and staged a protest before walking out.
Later while speaking with reporters, former chief minister and leader of opposition Manik Sarkar said the CPI-M is protesting against the Speaker as he did not
allow such a burning issue to be discussed in House, hence they walked out.
“At first CPI-M MLA Tapan Chakraborty wanted to get the view of the Speaker on the adjournment motion notice. To which the Speaker said that there is no scope of discussing the matter as it is not a question and answer session. So me and the MLAs protested and walked out,” Sarkar said.
Describing the police brutality on the students’ wing of Left Front, Sarkar said, “On 15th September four organizations of Left Front’s students’ wing – the SFI, DYFI, TYF and others – organised a rally to meet the Chief Minister on deputation at Secretariat demanding education for all, employment and terror free Tripura. As they were walking towards the Secretariat, police used muscle power to stop the student organizations by using lathi charge, water cannon, and tear gas.”
“The issues, for which the youths were holding a rally to meet the CM, is not only their demands but also the demands of each and every person of the state. The CM could talk with a delegation which was held earlier also. Was it necessary to use lathi charge, water cannon, etc. Were they criminals? So on this issues we have brought an adjournment motion for discussion,” Sarkar added.