First Line Of Defence

Orissa Speaker Maheshwar Mohanty is finding it difficult to handle the belligerent MLAs who rush to the well at the smallest provocation. Fed up, he’s now directed the watch-and-ward staff inside the House to undergo training in martial arts from the police. He’s also asked them to take tips from the cops on ‘riot control’, ie, how to control MLAs who try to disrupt proceedings. Needless to say, the move has irked MLAs, some of whom even threatened to bring firearms to tackle the "bouncers" of the Speaker. They have also accused Mohanty of lowering the dignity of the House. But the Speaker remains unfazed. He’s even said he’ll instal metal detectors to ensure that weapons are not brought into the House.