DMK MLAs protest outside TN Assembly

Chennai, Aug 18 (PTI) DMK MLAs led by Opposition leaderMK Stalin today staged a protest outside the Tamil NaduAssembly, a day after they were suspended en masse for a weekfor allegedly creating ruckus in the House. The protesting MLAs, who staged a dharna, alleged thatthey were denied entry into the Assembly premises. DMK MLAs CVMP Ezhilarasan said the party legislatorswere denied access to their room inside the Secretariat whichalso houses the Legislative Assembly. Stalin was stopped by Assembly marshals who also lockedthe entry point leading to the House. After they were deniedentry, the DMK MLAs, led by Stalin, sat on a dharna. Meanwhile, security was stepped up in the Secretariat. Yesterday, the Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes whenDMK members protested remarks made by a ruling AIADMK memberapparently ridiculing Stalin, culminating in their en masseeviction and suspension. Speaker P Dhanapal ordered eviction of the DMK members byassembly marshals after they stood up and insisted onexpunging of remarks even after he rejected their demand andasked them to cooperate for the smooth conduct of the House. Later, the government moved a resolution suspending theDMK members for a week which was passed by a voice vote. PTISA VGN BNRT