: The Odisha Assembly witnessed disruptions resulting in frequent adjournments on Saturday when Congress members stormed into the well of the House protesting police action against its student and youth wing members, who had hurled egg and waved black flags at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s convoy.

Congress leaders termed the charge of attempt to murder against its student and youth wings activists an act of utter vengeance.

As soon as Zero Hour began, Congress members trooped into the Well protesting against police action. They alleged that law was being misused. In retaliation, ruling Biju Janata Dal members also rushed to the Well and accused the Congress of resorting to hooliganism.

With both Opposition and treasury benches continuing to trade charges, Speaker Niranjan Pujari had to adjourn the proceedings.

“I wonder as to how hurling of eggs amounts to attempt to murder under 307 of IPC. Throwing egg is a symbol of protest. If I had to hurt anybody, I would have pelted stones. The Chief Minister was inside the car. Eggs were thrown from a distance. Students should have been charged under normal offences such as 143 and 147 of IPC,” said Narasingh Mishra, Leader of Opposition, outside the House.

He said government’s statistics justified the anger of students and youths. “In the past 10 years, 34,011 youths have been provided jobs as against 10,86,222 who have registered themselves in employment exchanges. Chief Minister had made tall promises to provide lakhs of jobs during his tenure,” Mr. Mishra said.

The State police so far arrested 12 persons in connection with Thursday’s attack on Chief Minister’s cavalcade.