NEW DELHI, July 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Both the houses of Indian parliament adjourned Thursday for the day as the opposition took on the government over Coal, Mines and Mineral Minister Shibu Soren, wanted in connection with the killing of 10 people three decades ago.

    The opposition National Democratic Alliance blocked proceedings in both houses, demanding a statement from Prime Minister ManmohanSingh on the arrest warrant against Soren and his whereabouts, theIndo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported.

    "I cannot imagine that a minister can abscond and a warrant for his arrest is pasted on his residence," IANS quoted Leader of Opposition L. K.Advani as said.

    Soren has not been attending the house and was not found even when the police searched his New Delhi residence Wednesday.

    Slogans of 'Down with Shibu, Save the country' and 'United Progressive Alliance shame' drowned out the proceedings for most part, but Lok Sabha (Lower House of parliament) Speaker Somnath Chatterjee turned a deaf ear until he was forced to adjourn the house.

    Similar scenes led to an adjournment of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of parliament).

    Both houses adjourned again after reassembling,with members of opposite sides coming to blows in the Lok Sabha.

    Parliament will go into a recess after Friday's sitting and resume on Aug 16.

    On Jan 23, 1975, Soren had allegedly led a tribal mob that attacked the Muslim-dominated Chirudih village in Jamtara districtof Jharkhand state in east India during a campaign to 'drive away outsiders'. Ten persons, including nine Muslims, were killed and adozen houses set on fire in the attack.

    After an arrest warrant on the case issued by a fast track court, a two-member police team from Jharkhand arrived Tuesday to arrest Soren. Not finding the minister in his residence, the police pasted a copy of the warrant at the main entrance of his residence. Enditem