Punjab Congress Legislators Walk Out of Assembly, Seek Justice for Army Officer
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Synopsis
On March 21, Congress MLAs in Chandigarh protested during Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria's address, demanding justice for an army officer assaulted in Patiala. They accused the AAP government of misleading farmers and called for accountability from the Punjab Police. The Governor's speech was interrupted, highlighting tensions in the Assembly.
Key Takeaways
- Congress MLAs protested wearing black armbands.
- Interruption during the Governor's address signifies discontent.
- Allegations of assault on an army officer raised.
- Demands for accountability from Punjab Police.
- Criticism of the AAP government regarding farmer protests.
Chandigarh, March 21 (NationPress) Congress MLAs, donning black armbands, disrupted the address delivered by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria during the opening day of the Assembly Budget session on Friday, subsequently staging a walkout while chanting slogans against the AAP government.
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa stood up to speak as the Governor addressed the assembly.
Governor Kataria halted his speech momentarily as Bajwa began speaking with the microphone turned off.
Nevertheless, the Governor continued his address despite Congress members rising from their seats.
Bajwa brought to light the issues regarding the assault on a Colonel and his son in Patiala, along with the “forcible” eviction of farmers who have been protesting for over a year at the borders of Shambhu and Khanauri in Haryana.
Following this, the Congress members exited the Assembly.
Congress leaders have expressed strong disapproval of the Bhagwant Mann government, accusing it of misleading the farmers, and stressing that farmers should be permitted to protest without any interference.
Regarding the assault case involving the army officer, the Congress leader demanded that all guilty Punjab Police officials be arrested and dismissed from their positions.
"Recently, (AAP national convener) Arvind Kejriwal was in Punjab, yet neither he nor Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has commented on the incident," he stated.
The day prior, the family of the active colonel, who claimed that 12 police officials assaulted him and his son over a parking dispute, met with the Governor to request a CBI investigation into the matter. They rejected the probe conducted by an executive magistrate appointed by the Punjab government.
The government has designated IAS officer Paramvir Singh, the Municipal Commissioner of Patiala, as an inquiry officer to investigate the incident after the family expressed dissatisfaction with the current investigation. The family alleged that while they were standing outside their vehicle and having a meal, police officials arrived and requested the Colonel to move his car as they needed to park theirs.
