TMC team detained at Silchar to maintain law and order: Rajnath
New Delhi, Aug 3 : A delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders flew to Silchar but was detained at the airport to maintain law and order in Assam, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday told the Lok Sabha, adding that the delegation members created an "unruly situation at the airport".
Citing a document received from the Assam government, the Minister said the state government took the step based on "media and intelligence inputs".
"On the basis of intelligence inputs, considering the law and order situation and to avoid any deteriorating condition, the Assam government detained the honourable (delegation) members who reached Silchar airport," Rajanth Singh said.
"As per my information, the district officials there requested the TMC members with folded hands that Section 144 of CrPC was in force in the entire district and it would not be good for them to go outside. Then, they were detained at the airport."
The Assam government reported minor scuffle between the district administration employees and some of the representatives of the delegation at the airport, he said. "A few of them also received injuries in the melee."
The Minister explained that the TMC delegation reached the Silchar airport around 1.55 p.m on on Thursday and the Deputy Commissioner received them.
"(He) requested them to go back. The delegation members did not listen to the instructions and started an argument. They also started manhandling the district administration people in which two women security personnel (were) injured.
"The delegation members created unruly situation at the airport which led to discomfort to other passengers, who complained about it to the district administration," Rajnath Singh said.
As the last flight for Delhi and Kolkata had taken off, the Assam Police had no option but to arrest the delegation members, he said.
He said their night halt was proposed at the NIT guest house in Silchar. But on their written request, they were halted at the Silchar airport guest house. On Friday, six members of the delegations flew back to Kolkata and Delhi.
The Minister's remarks came after TMC MPs disrupted the Lok Sabha over the issue and gave a privilege notice.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said during Zero Hour that a team consisting of six MPs and also two ministers from West Bengal went to Silchar for the purpose of having only a discussion and an assessment of the issue in question. They had categorically said there would not be any public meeting.
"When they reached Silchar airport, they were detained. They were manhandled by Assam Police," he said and added: "Is it not an undeclared Emergency in the country itself? Even during Emergency, people could have moved from one place to other."
"I know elections are coming and everyone is getting ready for that. Are you afraid of that? Are you getting nervous after seeing the united force of the Opposition that you are detaining the MPs there? We condemn this act," Banerjee said.
BJP MP from Assam Bijoya Chakravarty said there is Bengali population in 37 districts of Assam. "In my constituency, Guwahati alone, there are 3,45,000 Bengalis. There is no trouble. There is peace everywhere. There is no tension anywhere. TMC MPs created problems and also manhandled people. Why did they go there to create tension?
"West Bengal Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) said there will be civil war and bloodbath in Assam. This is against law ... they should be booked," she said.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury slamming Mamata Banerjee said there is no civil war or bloodbath anywhere, neither in Assam nor Bengal. "Everyne should realise their responsibility. This is being raised to create a situation of sub-regionalism. This is dangerous."
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I enjoy being a finisher for my team: Ashutosh Sharma
Jaipur (PTI): Delhi Capitals batting all-rounder Ashutosh Sharma said he relishes his role as a finisher after his side snapped a three-match losing streak with a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in an IPL match here.
Ashutosh struck an unbeaten 25 off 15 balls, hitting four boundaries, as Delhi successfully chased down a daunting 226-run target with five balls to spare on Friday.
"I enjoy being a finisher for my team. The team has trusted me to bat in these situations and I enjoy playing in these moments. I always feel that as long as I am at the crease, I can win the game for my team," Ashutosh said at the post-match press conference.
Chasing a stiff total, Delhi were laid a solid foundation by KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka, who stitched together a 110-run opening partnership.
"In T20 cricket nowadays, a lot depends on the opening partnership and the powerplay. Our openers played really well and because of that we were in the game throughout and could take it till the end," Ashutosh said.
Delhi’s overseas pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Kyle Jamieson had earlier set the tone by removing Rajasthan's explosive openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi inside the first two overs.
"We wanted to get their opening partnership out early, as they have been doing well in previous matches. That was our plan and it worked, which was good for us."
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals batting coach Vikram Rathour admitted that poor execution with the ball cost his side the match.
"The bowlers couldn't execute their plans again today. 226 we felt was enough on this surface, they should have been able to defend that.
"When you are defending that kind of total it is important to have a good powerplay. We gave away lots of runs and didn't take any wicket," he said.
Despite the defeat, Rathour drew positives from the batting effort, particularly the response after the early loss of openers. Skipper Riyan Parag led from the front with a 90 off 50 balls, while Dhruv Jurel contributed 42.
"We were consistently getting good starts. Both our openers were doing well for us in every match. So, this was the first time that both got out early. So as a team, I think it was important how we came out of that situation and how we played.
"The way Riyan and Jurel batted at that time, the partnership they built, and the way Donovan finished it, it was really good to see," Rathour said.
