The opposition Congress today staged a walkout from the Chhattisgarh Assembly over abduction of a minor boy in Bemetera district, allegedly by workers of a construction firm for the purpose of "sacrifice".
The state government on its part has ordered a probe into the incident.
Soon after the proceedings of the day began, senior Congress member Bhupesh Baghel raised the issue seeking a discussion on it through an adjournment motion.
Baghel said the workers of Malamohan Construction company, engaged in the construction of anicut (a dam made in a stream for maintaining and regulating irrigation) on Dotu river near Thankhamariya in the district, "kidnapped" Ankush Nirmalkar (8) yesterday morning for the purpose of "sacrificing" him. However, the boy escaped from his captors, he added.
"They had packed the child in a gunny bag and dumped it in a ditch meant for erecting foundation of construction work", Baghel said, adding the boy survived as somebody opened the gunny bag.
He further alleged that cops at Thankhamariya station refused to register an FIR as the construction firm belonged to a BJP leader.
Enraged over the incident, villagers torched vehicles of the construction company yesterday. The FIR was finally registered last evening, he said.
"Police thrashed parents of the boy and also some villagers. They even manhandled some journalists who went to the spot to take stock of the situation," Baghel said.
Baghel then sought suspension of question hour to discuss the issue.
However, Speaker Gaurishankar Agrawal said the issue would be considered only after the question hour is over and after conducting the proceedings.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ajay Chandrakar said stalling the question hour for a debate on any issue is against the tradition of the House.
Chandrakar's assurance that the government was not running away from holding the discussion failed to pacify the Congress members.
