Tohra’s men allege police raj, stage walkout

The issue was first raised during zero hour by former Speaker Ravi Inder Singh who had been earlier suspended from the ruling Akali Dal. Referring to the adjournment notice given by him, he said those going to the rally were detained and lathi-charged despite the fact that they did not breach any law and were peaceful. He described it as police raj.

Immediate support was extended to him by the Congress and the Communist Party of India. Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal said the notice had been disallowed. Both Atwal and Ravi Inder Singh repeatedely quoted from the rules and procedures of the Vidhan Sabha.

This led to slogan-shouting by Inderjit Singh Zira who was joined in the protest by other Tohra associates.

Hardev Arshi (CPI) referred to the policy statement of the Badal Government to end confrontation at the political level and said the action of the government was contrary to that statement. Congress Legislature Party leader Jagjit Singh Chaudhary and his party member Avtar Singh Brar also took up the issue followed by Shingara Ram Sahungara (BSP).

As the din continued, Zira followed by his supporters and the entire opposition except Ravi Inder Singh, trooped into the well of the House and staged dharna for a few minutes. Later, they staged a walkout shouting slogans which was also joined in by Ravi Inder Singh. The splinter Akali group included Zira, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Daljit Kaur, Harmel Singh, Jagtar Singh Rajla, Bikramjit Singh Khalsa, Surjit Singh Kohli, Hira Singh Gabria, Manjit Singh Calcutta, Prem Singh Lalpura and Ravi Inder Singh.

Luxmi Kanta Chawla (BJP) referred to the agitation by the managements and teachers of the private aided colleges.

The budget would be presented on March 22.