Chaos in Kerala Assembly: Scuffle between Opposition MLAs, security staff

Four Opposition MLAs, including a woman, and a few of the security staff suffered minor injuries

The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday witnessed unruly scenes with the Opposition MLAs staging a sit-in in front of the Speaker's office leading to a commotion between MLAs and security staff.

Four Opposition MLAs, including a woman, and a few security staff suffered minor injuries. Some women security staff alleged that Opposition MLAs and their staff manhandled them.

The issue kicked off after Speaker A N Shamseer denied permission to present a notice for an adjournment motion over the attack on a girl by some youths in the suburbs of Thiruvananthapuram a few days back.

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Opposition MLAs trooped to the well of the House and shouted slogans. As the Speaker went ahead with the proceedings, the Opposition MLAs went out of the house and staged a sit-in in front of the Speaker's office. The security personnel tried to prevent it and this led to the commotion. Some ruling front MLAs also reach the spot.

Opposition MLA K K Rema suffered a fracture on her hand, while another MLA Saneeh Kumar Joseph, who fainted during the commotion, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the government medical college hospital.

Opposition MLAs gave a petition to the Speaker seeking action against the security staff and ruling front MLAs. The Speaker had invited the Opposition for talks on Thursday morning. Opposition was also considering the option of filing a police complaint regarding the incident.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan alleged that the security staff used force at the Opposition MLAs without any provocation. Some ruling front MLAs also assaulted Opposition MLAs. The Speaker was denying the rights of the Opposition, he alleged.

Personal allegations

The chaos in the house also led to raising personnel allegations. Irked over a remark of Tourism minister Mohammed Riyas in the house that the Opposition's 'spine was like a plantain stem', Opposition leader Satheesan alleged that Riyas, who is the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, got a seat through 'management quota'. Satheesan also said that the 'chief minister's family agenda' of promoting Riyas was happening now. Riyas hit back by stating that Satheesan became the Opposition leader through the 'back door'.