Bhubaneswar, 19 March (H.S.): The Odisha Assembly experienced significant disruptions on Thursday as opposition legislators protested the recent fire incident and patient safety issues at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. These disturbances led the Speaker to adjourn the House multiple times.

The session began at 10:30 AM as scheduled, with Speaker Surama Padhy trying to initiate the Question Hour. However, as Minister Mukesh Mahaling began to speak, opposition members interrupted with slogans regarding the SCB Medical situation, moving into the well of the House to amplify their protests.

Despite the Speaker's repeated requests for members to return to their seats and allow the House to function, the disruptions persisted, resulting in an adjournment until 11:30 AM.

A similar scene unfolded during the Zero Hour, with opposition members from the BJD and Congress again chanting slogans in the well of the House. Although some proceedings continued briefly amid the turmoil, the protests remained ongoing.

Opposition members demanded the resignation of the Health Minister over the incident, vowing to maintain their agitation until their demand was addressed. Slogans like Hari Naam Satya Hai and Ram Naam Satya Hai echoed throughout the assembly.

Tensions escalated when some opposition members attempted to climb onto the Speaker's podium, leading to scuffles with security personnel.

To restore order and break the deadlock, Speaker Surama Padhy adjourned the proceedings until 1 PM and called for an all-party meeting to address the situation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda