Participating in the debate senior ministers and BNP lawmakers said opposition activists pelted police with brickbats, and damaged vehicles and public property prompting the law enforcers into action.

They also alleged that BNP lawmakers and activists were badly treated by police during the previous Awami League (AL) regime.

AL lawmakers on the other hand said police attacked them without any provocation and they demanded formation of a parliamentary body to identify those who attacked opposition activists 'wearing police uniform'.

The AL lawmakers also staged a brief walk out from the House protesting at the police attack on the opposition's programme of laying siege to the EC yesterday.

Acting Speaker Akhtar Hamid Siddiqui who allowed the lawmakers to participate in the unscheduled debate on point of orders, however neither issued any ruling nor resolved the debate. Replying to a lawmaker's query, he just said none of the issues being debated was on point of order.

At the beginning of the session, Opposition Chief Whip Abdus Shahid initiated the debate, in which Law Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Moudud Ahmed, Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami, Agriculture Minister MK Anwar, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda, BNP lawmakers Joynal Abedin Faruk, Mozzem Hossain Alal and AL lawmakers Abdur Razzak, KM Jahangir, Shajahan Khan and Tanjeem Ahmed Sohel participated.

"Unruly behaviour of opposition activists prompted police to go into action," Moudud Ahmed said adding that police cannot sit idle when anarchy prevails and vehicles are damaged.

He criticised the AL lawmakers for staging the walk out even after delivering speeches on the issues.

Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami said it is not true that police attacked a peaceful programme.

Referring to a part of a tear gas shell exhibited by AL lawmaker Shajahan Khan in the House, Communications Minister Nazmul Huda said it should be investigated whether a lawmaker can bring such a thing inside the House.

Earlier, when AL lawmaker Shajahan Khan showed the part of a tear gas shell, the acting speaker said, "You can't bring that in the House. It is illegal."

Referring to the opposition leader's June 12 speech in the House, Agriculture Minister MK Anwar said, "It is not possible for anyone to deliver such an indecent and derogative remark which she did."

"Our Nasiruddin Pintu yesterday (Monday) uttered only a few words. But the way the opposition lawmakers protested was not expected," he said.

Pointing to the opposition bench, the agriculture minister said, "We can't sit in silence to hear your speeches hours after hours. It cannot be continued---it is going beyond the limit of our patience. The House must be run according the rules of procedure."

On the other hand AL lawmaker Tanjeem Ahmed Sohel, who was injured in yesterday's police attack, said cadres of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami took part in the atrocities wearing police uniform. "It's shameful that lawmakers are beaten up on the street. This also undermines the dignity of the parliament."

Jatiya Party lawmaker Golam Habib Dulal said people and the Supreme Court showed no confidence in the present EC due to its failure in preparing the voter list. "It is not possible for the present Election Commission to hold a credible election," he said demanding reconstitution of the EC.