Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (IANS): The Congress created a ruckus in the Odisha Assembly on Monday over the increasing number of crimes committed against women.

As the House met for the day, Congress members demanded that a motion filed by the party on increasing incidents of sexual assault on minor girls should be discussed by suspending the Question Hour.

As their demands were ignored, the members trooped near the Speaker's podium and shouted slogans.

The Speaker first adjourned the House till 11.30 a.m. and then till 3 p.m.

With the beginning of Zero Hour, the opposition members demanded a ruling from the Speaker to direct Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to give a statement in the House.

"Chief Minister Patnaik has only remained a mute spectator to the rising incidents of crime against girls and women," said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.

However, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Sameer Dash said the state government was not indifferent to the crimes against the girls and women.