Oppn-Speaker spat turns ugly, watch-&-ward staff gets physical

Thiruvananthapuram: Speaker A N Shamseer outrightly rejecting an opposition notice seeking discussion on the attack on a 16-year-old girl in Thiruvananthapuram led to unprecedented scenes in front of his chamber in the assembly on Wednesday. The attempt by the watch-and-ward staff to forcefully remove the UDF MLAs who protested in front of the speaker’s chamber alleging bias led to a commotion, which was further worsened with some ministers, ruling front MLAs and their staff members intervening in the melee. At least four MLAs and seven watch-and-ward staff have been injured in the tussle.