Speaker rejects adjournment motion on stockpiling of arms

Halim, however, allowed Congress member Ajoy Dey to read out the motion after rejecting it.

Criticising the Speaker's rejection of the motion, CLP leader Manas Bhuniya later told reporters that they would demand a statement from Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in the House on recovery of illegal arms. Bhuniya also alleged involvement of arms dealers behind the stockpiling of arms by the ruling party.

Bhuniya said Governor M K Narayanan has already expressed concern about growing illegal arms in the state and submitted a report to the Centre. He also demanded immediate recovery of these illegal arms through a combing operation.

RSP's Tapan Hore, who is a member of the Left Front, admitted that the ruling party was not above criticism, but the opposition parties were also stockpiling arms and this was evident from various incidents in different districts. Noting that sometimes it is required to keep arms for self-defence, Hore said search and recovery should be applicable to all irrespective of political parties and the administration has to work impartially.

"It is a matter of concern the way the ruling party members are becoming a target of attack," he said.