Bihar Assembly today witnessed noisy scenes with the Opposition BJP raising the issue of police lathicharge on a group of protesters agitating at the main gate of the House for not being rehabilitated after the devastating Kosi flood in 2008.
Leader of Opposition Nand Kishore Yadav raised the matter in the Legislative Assembly during Zero Hour and sought a statement from the state government.
As the opposition leader was vociferously raising the issue, BJP MLAs trooped into the well of the House shouting anti-government slogans.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Shrawan Kumar blamed the BJP for "creating scene in the House to get media publicity" and asserted the state government was sincere on the issue.
Later, Yadav told reporters in his chamber that police today used force against agitators many of whom were women. He alleged that male policemen dragged women protesters.
Senior Superintendent of Police Jitendra Rana said nearly a dozen people have been taken into custody for sneaking into prohibited areas around Assembly premises and agitating there.
He, however, denied using much force against them and also male policemen charging on female protesters.
The opposition leader launched a scathing attack at the state government and said despite crore of rupees provided by World Bank for rehabilitation of Kosi flood victims, not more than 25 per cent of the damaged houses have been built so far.
He alleged "loot" of money meant for rehabilitation.
Yadav said that the state government constituted two committees to analyse the report submitted last year by Justice Rajesh Walia committee on Kosi flood. The two committees have yet not submitted any recommendations.
The August 18, 2008 devastating flood in river Kosi due to breach in embankment had drowned 993 villages in 35 blocks of five districts of Kosi region, killing 534 people. More than 2.20 lakh homes were damaged and 1,000 acres of agricultural land ruined.
