Telangana Bill: MPs disrupt Parliament proceedings, 17 suspended

One MP took out a knife in the Lok Sabha and another used pepper spray, say media reports

 
Published: Thursday 13 February 2014

The UPA government on Thursday tabled the Telangana Bill in Lok Sabha amid protests both inside and outside Parliament.

In Lok Sabha, both pro and anti Telangana MPs stalled the proceedings; one of them used a pepper spray and another took out a knife and held it threateningly.  
 
The impact of the spray used by Congress MP L Rajgopal was so severe that a Parliament doctor was rushed in. Rajagopal also smashed a glass, while two other protesting MPs flung a computer and pulled out a microphone.

According to media reports, 17 “errant” Andhra Pradesh MPs have been suspended by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar for disrupting proceedings.
Earlier on Wednesday evening, a few MPs had threatened to commit suicide if the Bill gets passed in Lok Sabha.

Continued protests over Telangana statehood and other issues led to two adjournments of the house during the pre-lunch sitting on Thursday.
 

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