Protests in Lok Sabha over 'police action' in Belgaum

Shiv Sena members on Wednesday created uproar in Lok Sabha over alleged police action against Marathi-speaking people in Belgaum district in Karnataka, leading to disruption of the Question Hour. 

As soon as the House met for the day, Shiv Sena members came to the Well shouting slogans against Karnataka government for the alleged police action in the Maharashtra-Karnataka border district.

Showing photographs of those allegedly injured in the police action and newspaper clippings, the Sena members demanded suspension of Question Hour to discuss the issue.

Some BJP members from Karnataka stood in the aisle objecting to the Shiv Sena members' protest.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan tried to persuade the Sena members to go back to their seats and assured them that she would allow raising the issue during Zero Hour, but they did not relent.

As pandemonium continued, she adjourned the House till noon.

Tension prevailed in the border town of Belgaum in Karnataka after a board put up by some villagers revived a decades-old dispute with neighbouring Maharashtra. On Sunday, police had allegedly lathicharged some villagers at Yellur in the district.