Bhubaneswar, Mar 18: The Odisha Legislative Assembly witnessed massive disruption on Wednesday as Opposition MLAs staged protests over the devastating fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital, which claimed 12 lives and left around 20 others injured.

The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit in the first-floor Trauma ICU, broke out while patients were asleep, triggering widespread outrage across the state. As soon as the House assembled, Opposition members raised slogans, demanding accountability and the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling.

Amid the chaos, Speaker Surama Padhy initially adjourned the House till 11:30 a.m. However, the protests intensified when proceedings resumed, forcing a second adjournment till 4 p.m. as the uproar showed no signs of subsiding.

During the adjournment, Opposition MLAs staged a symbolic protest within the Assembly premises, holding a mock funeral to represent what they termed the “death of the state’s health system.” Carrying ritual items like a Kalash and Khoi, they offered flowers and chanted “Ram Naam Satya Hai,” expressing grief and anger over the incident.

Lawmakers from the Biju Janata Dal and the Indian National Congress joined the protest, displaying placards demanding the minister’s resignation. The tragic incident has sparked widespread public anger and intensified political tensions across Odisha.

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