Pandemonium prevails in Odisha Assembly over detention of farmers

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly witnessed noisy scenes over the police action against hundreds of farmers on Wednesday.

Hundreds of farmers detained at several places across the state. They were coming to attend a farmers’ convention called by Navnirman Krushak Sanghathan (NKS) in Bhubaneswar.

Raising the issue in the House, Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra demanded to discuss the matter. However, deputy Speaker Sanand Marandi rejected the demand of Opposition leader following which the Congress members rushed into the well and shouted slogans against the government.

Unable to run the House, the deputy Speaker adjourned it till 3 pm.

Later, the Congress MLAs moved to Raj Bhavan and sought the intervention of Governor S.C. Jamir. They demanded immediate release of farmers from police custody.

“The act of the state government is undemocratic. The police have detained hundreds of farmers at several places across the state. They are coming to attend a rally and express their displeasure over the government,” said the leader of Opposition.

Agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy said no representative of NKS met him and discuss their problems.

Union Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan termed the detention of farmers ‘undemocratic’.

“Everyone has the right to protest in the democratic system. It is not right to prevent the farmers to express their protest over the government. It shows the arrogance of the state government by not allowing the farmers to hold protest rally,” tweeted Pradhan.