With no signs of thawing the stalemate, deadlock prevailed in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly for the third day of Monsoon session today. Before the Question Hour, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh wanted to make a statement in the House, however, when he was not able to read the text of his statement Opposition did not allow him to hand over the text to Kaul Singh Thakur to read in the House. The Speaker Brij Behari Lal Butail tried to intervene but members of Opposition insisted to allow them first to discuss the issue of law and order.
BJP member Mahinder Singh, Maheshwer Singh and Jai Ram Thakur raised various issues of crime against the woman. They alleged that criminals were given free reign by the State after not properly addressing the Gudiya Gang rape case. Mr. Jai Ram Thakur alleged that he was chased by a vehicle last evening when he was coming to Vidhan Saba MLA hostels. He further alleged that despite making the complaint to police and handed over the number of the vehicle to SP Shimla no action was taken.
The Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar also alleged that Chief Minister seemed lost control on his tongue as he created the controversy after making derogatory remarks against the member of Gadi community in the public. Mr. Dhumal urged the Speaker that the Chief Minister should be asked to seek the apology from Opposition member as he also made derogatory remarks insulting them when they were protesting in the House yesterday. Mr. Dhumal said that anti-social elements are being encouraged after improper handling of Gudiya Gang rape cases which was followed by the sudden spurt in crime in other parts of State.
Mr. Dhumal tried to put the entire burden of disruption on the Chair stating that if the Speaker allotted time to the Opposition under rule 67 the deadlock would not continue for the third day. The Speaker asked the member to take the Question Hour, however, the Opposition members again lodged the protest in the House. The Speaker was forced to adjourn House for 15 minutes amid the din when the House reassembled again, the Speaker again tried to pacify the Opposition which continued to insist on the discussion. The Speaker asked the treasury benches to conduct the proceeding. Some papers and bill were laid in the House and it was adjourned for the day at 1230 hours.
