KalingaTimes Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, Aug 28: The opposition parties of Odisha on Thursday stalled the proceedings of the State Assembly in protest against Naveen Patnaik Government's failure to contain communal violence in the state.

Members of Congress, CPI(M), CPI and Nationalist Congress Party sat on dharna in the well of the Assembly since the House assembled for the day at 10-30 am.

The proceedings had to be adjourned thrice in the pre-lunch session as the opposition legislators did not return to their seats and continued the dharna.

Criticising Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for claiming that the situation was under control, the opposition demanded the resignation of the BJD-BJP coalition government for its failure to control the situation.

With regard to imposition of curfew in Kendrapara town, the opposition members alleged that a close relative of a ruling party politician was involved in the violence.

CPI member Narayan Reddy blamed the Chief Minister for his claim. “Why should this government remain in office when it had failed to protect the life and property of the common man,” he queried.

The dharna by the opposition continued even after the proceedings resumed in the post-lunch session. However, proceedings were conducted despite the dharna.

The dharna was likely to continue till Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik makes a statement on the situation prevailing in Kandhamal and other parts of the state.

Meanwhile, reports from Kandhamal said communal violence had spread to interior areas of the district making life difficult for those belonging to the minority community.