Agitated BJP MLAs stalled proceedings of the Odisha Assembly forcing repeated adjournments right through the day by raising noisy protests over arrest of party leader and former minister Jayanarayan Mishra.

Mishra has been arrested by Bargarh police in connection with a violent attack in which one ruling BJD worker died on 22 February.

Speaker Pradip Amat adjourned the house thrice during the pre-lunch session and once during the post lunch session and finally for the day as ruckus prevailed with the BJP members occupying the well of the House and demanding a CBI probe in to the case.

The police, it may be noted, has arrested eight persons including Mishra in connection with the case. The BJP members raised slogans against the government in the assembly.

The question hour was a washout as was all other business listed for the day. The BJP leaders alleged that Mr Mishra was not involved in the case.

They alleged that the government was using the police to stifle the Opposition and the police is working as agent of the government and BJD.

BJP legislature party leader K V Singh Deo said the Banabira firing case had several gaping holes as the police first said 30 rounds were fired but only two empty shells were found.

The doctors at the hospital said there was no bullet injury on those admitted to the hospital. The injured person who was shifted to SCB Medical College hospital at Cuttack died while the others at Burla hospital were discharged after medical attention, he said.

Mr.Singdeo wanted the Speaker to direct the government to hand over the case to the CBI as the state police was apparently being used by the ruling BJD.

The BJP leader said Mr Mishra was arrested and put behind bars while he was undergoing treatment for cancer and kidney related problems.

The government, he said, should ensure that proper medicine and treatment is given to him.

Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy said the case is sub judice and under investigation. He asked how can the Chair issue a direction to the government.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra appealed to the BJP leaders to cooperate and participate in the adjournment motion on farmers issue.

He said the BJP members should join with the problems of the people. If they did not it would expose the true colour of the BJP members, the Congress leader said.

Outside the assembly, the Congress said it was unfortunate that the farmers issue on which notice for adjournment had been given could not be taken up.

The BJP helped the government to get away on the crucial farmer’s issue , charged the Congress.

The BJP hit back saying it was the Congress that had joined hands with the ruling BJD as was evident in the bypolls. Already several Congress mla’s are ready to join the BJD, remarked the BJP.