Bhubaneswar, March 18: The Odisha Assembly on Wednesday witnessed massive disruptions over the recent fire tragedy at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack that claimed 12 lives.

As the House assembled at 10.30 AM to transact business, opposition members stormed into the well of the House, holding placards and raising slogans over the fire tragedy at the premier State-run hospital.

They demanded immediate resignation of the Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahalaing, triggering a prolonged uproar forcing Speaker Surama Padhy to adjourn proceedings till 11.30 AM.

When the House reassembled at 11.30, uproar persisted and the House was adjourned to meet again at 4 PM.

Following the adjournment, BJD MLAs staged a demonstration on the Assembly premises carrying symbolic ‘funeral procession’ to express their anger over the fire tragedy.

BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik termed the incident a “major tragedy” and demanded accountability.

“Twelve people have lost their lives. The Health Minister must be held responsible. I reiterate my demand for his resignation,” said the former Chief Minister.

Congress MLA Tara Bahinipati also demanded resignation of the Health Minister and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of the deceased.

Notably, 12 patients died and several others were grievously injured when a fire broke out in an intensive care unit of SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack in the early hours of Monday.

Till now, there was no clarity on whether the same spark or an undetected fault elsewhere was the source of the massive fire that coursed through the ward and two upper floors moments later.