Uproar in Lok Sabha over killings

Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal ruled out Mistri’s demand by observing that “this is not unparliamentary”. When Mistri persisted, Atwal said he would examine the record and expunge it if he found it unparliamentary. “It is my headache,” he added. There was no word from Atwal’s office till late on Wednesday if the remark had been retained or knocked off.

Dube received support from his party colleague Ilyas Azmi and members belonging to the BJP, JD(U) and Shiv Sena. Mistri received little response from his party colleagues except Manvendra Singh.

Samajwadi Party member Ramjilal Suman termed the situation in Manipur serious and demanded a prompt intervention by the Centre to protect Hindi-speaking people residing in the state. BJP’s Shahawaz Hussain said the Congress was oblivious to the plight of migrants from Bihar because it had only eight MLAs in Bihar. Pointing at Railway Minister and RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, sitting on a front seat on the other side, Hussain said he should resign to press for protection of Biharis.

JD(U) group leader Prabhunath Singh appealed to Lalu to convene a meeting of all Bihar MPs and draw a common strategy for saving the lives of Biharis.

CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta wondered “what wrong have Biharis committed” that they are being targeted everywhere. He said poor people of the state have only migrated to other areas in search of livelihood. He said “I am ashamed no step has been taken” for protecting lives of people and demanded an immediate deployment of Central forces in affected areas.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi said, “We condemn the killings unequivocally.” Describing them as a matter of concern, he assured the House that he “will convey the feeling of anguish of members directly to the Prime Minister”.