Woman guard allegedly manhandled in Kerala assembly
Two Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) legislators on Friday allegedly manhandled a woman guard in the Kerala assembly when she tried to stop them from going towards the speaker's podium. The lawmakers denied the accusations.
The woman and one of her male colleagues sustained injuries and were admitted in a hospital.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Leader of Opposition Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had stood up in the assembly to find out why the government was delaying the suspension of an assistant commissioner of police who fired four pistol rounds to disperse a student mob at Kozhikode last week.
Following that, some opposition members moved towards the speaker's podium and started raising slogans. The guards, standing outside, came inside and stopped them. The house was later adjourned.
Minister for Rural Development K.C. Joseph, a ruling legislator, said: "Two opposition legislators, T.V. Rajesh and James Mathew, manhandling a lady watch and ward staff is a shame. This is the first time ever such an incident is taking place on the floor of the assembly."
Government Chief Whip P.C. George described it as a "shocking incident" and said he was taken aback when he saw the woman crying.
"We have requested Speaker G. Karthikeyan to suspend the two legislators for this dastardly act which has never happened in the history of the Kerala assembly," he said.
Meanwhile, first-time CPI-M legislator Rajesh said it was he who came under attack from the watch and ward staff of the assembly.
"It is rather strange that the Oommen Chandy government is using force by giving a free hand to the police both inside and outside the assembly. Today, I was slammed by a watch and ward staff," said Rajesh.
"I was punched in my face and my body by a watch and ward staff. We did no wrong, instead we were expressing our protest to the speaker on the manner the government is running the affairs," Rajesh's party colleague K.K. Lathika said.
Later, Chief Minister Chandy said the assembly proceeding were videographed and will be played in the presence of the media so that action could be taken against those responsible.
"What happened today is a blot for the state," said Chandy.
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