Guwahati, 06 July (HS): The opening day of the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on Monday witnessed noisy scenes as opposition members staged a protest inside the House, carrying placards and raising slogans over various public issues.

The protest began after the Speaker, Ranjit Kumar Das, rejected adjournment motions moved by opposition parties seeking suspension of the day's listed business to discuss urgent matters. Following the rejection, legislators from the Opposition gathered near the Speaker's chair with placards, raised slogans, disrupted proceedings for some time and later staged a walkout from the House.

The adjournment motions were jointly moved by the Raijor Dal, Congress and AIUDF. Leader of the Opposition Wajed Ali Choudhury sought a discussion on frequent power cuts and disruptions in electricity supply across the state. Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi demanded a debate on the sharp decline in student enrolment in government schools.

AIUDF MLA Mazibur Rahman, meanwhile, sought a discussion alleging harassment of ordinary people in the name of identifying illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and urged consideration of an extradition agreement with Bangladesh on the issue.

Rejecting the motions, Speaker Ranjit Kumar Das stated that the matters raised by the opposition could be discussed under appropriate business in the coming days of the session. Dissatisfied with the ruling, opposition members protested inside the House before walking out in protest.----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash