Bhubaneswar, March 20 (UNI) Agitated Congress members on Thursday stalled the Question Hour in the Odisha Assembly, protesting against the rising atrocities on women and demanding better safety measures for women in the state.

The Opposition Congress members resorted to a novel protest by blowing whistles inside the well of the House to register their dissent.

On Wednesday, Congress members disrupted the proceedings of the House, demanding the formation of a House Committee to probe the increasing crimes against women in the state.

Their protest forced Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn the House twice until 4 PM.

For the past week, Congress members have been stalling the proceedings of the House over the issue of rising crimes against women in the state.

The trouble began when the House commenced the Question Hour after adopting an obituary motion on the demise of former MLA from Sonepur, Debraj Seth. The House also observed a one-minute silence in memory of the departed soul.

As soon as Speaker Surama Padhy asked Minister Mukesh Mahaling to respond to a question raised by BJP member Dushmant Naik, Opposition Congress members stormed into the well of the House, shouted slogans, and began blowing whistles near the Speaker’s podium, attempting to disrupt the proceedings.

The Speaker urged the Congress members to return to their seats and cooperate with the business of the House. She even appealed to them to refrain from blowing whistles inside the well.

However, the Congress members remained adamant and continued shouting slogans while blowing whistles.

Unable to restore order, the Speaker adjourned the House at 10:46 AM until 12 PM.

When the House reconvened at 12 PM, Congress members once again stormed into the well and blew whistles before staging a noisy walkout.

In their absence, the House proceeded with the adjournment motion debate, which was moved by Opposition BJD members.

UNI DP KK