Assam House expunges Khilonjiya word

GUWAHATI, March 7 ? The Speaker of the State Assembly, Sri Prithvi Majhi on Wednesday expunged the world ?khilonjiya? which refers to indigenous people of the State, from the proceedings of the House in the face of the din created by Congress members. A section of Congress members raised strong objections to the use of word ?khilojiya? by Independent member, Prabindra Deka while participating in a discussion related to Guwahati Development. Referring to rampant encroachment upon Government land on the bank of Bharalu river in the city, Sri Deka suggested that only ?khilonjiya? (indigenous) people of the State should be given right over land to prevent such encroachment. On the mention of the word ?khilonjiya? a section of Congress MLAs raised hue and cry demanding deletion of the word from the proceedings of the House stating that it was not relevant to the matter in discussion. In order to bring back to the House, the Speaker then expunged to word from the proceedings and clarified that although the word was in no way ?unparliamentarian? it was deleted in this case as it was not relevant to the matter under discussion and it triggered loud protest from a section of members.