Bengal MLA lodges complaint of molestation during Feb 8 ruckus in assembly, opposition walks out of the House

Following a complaint lodged by a Congress MLA of molestation inside the state assembly during the ruckus on February 8, opposition parties protested and walked out on Monday.

On February 8, pandemonium broke out when “The West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order (Amendment) Bill 2017” was tabled. Marshals tried to remove the leader of the opposition Abdul Mannan, who allegedly was roughed up. During the commotion a female Congress MLA complained of molestation.

Another Left Front MLA was also allegedly molested during the scuffle.

According to the complaint (a copy of which is with HT) lodged with Hare street police station on February 9, the victim alleged ‘..I being a female SC member of the House was attacked in an unprecedented manner by the police force and a section of the staff. My modesty and chastity was outraged in full public view..’

She further alleged that marshal Debabrata Mukhopadhyay ‘touched me inappropriately and physically violated by sanctity by punching me and pushing me away’ the complaint read.

She further complained that the marshal abused her as ‘Chup Kor Choto jaath Kothakar (shut up low cast), which is a direct insult to me being a member of scheduled caste community.

On the other hand after the incident accused marshal claimed to the media that a section of MLAS manhandled him while he was trying to remove Mannan after the Speaker suspended him.

On Monday, Congress MLAs tried to raise the issue at the assembly but was turned down by the Speaker. Thereafter, Congress and Left MLAs started to protest inside the assembly. They ultimately walked out the House and protested outside.

“This is unprecedented. The leader of the opposition was assaulted by the marshal and the staff. He is now admitted in hospital. A female MLA had her modesty outraged, But the government is not even ready to listen. There is jungle raaj going on in the state,” said Manoj Chakraborty, Congress MLA from Berhampore.

“Along with the Left we will continue our protest inside and outside the assembly against Trinamool Congress government,” said Chakraborty.

“We will have to protest. There is an attempt to bruch up what happened on February 8. We have not been allowed to speak inside the house,” said Sujan Chakraborty, CPI(M) MLA.

Partha Chatterjee, Trinamool Congress MLA and state education minister said, “This is unparliamentary behaviour on the part of the opposition party.”

Meanwhile, Mannan who, after the incident, is admitted at Apollo Gleneagles hospitals, Kolkata and had a pacemaker implanted. After chief minister Mamata Banerjee met him on Saturday, Kolkata police offered body guards and police protection. Mannan however refused.

“Abdul Mannan has refused police protection offered to him. He is stable and recovering well,” said Amitava Chakraborty, senior state Congress leader.