Asom MLA arrested, another faces court case

Guwahati, Jun 18 (UNI) An independent MLA from Asom was arrested last night while another from the ruling Congress faces charges in the court, both for alleged assaults.

Independent MLA from Jonai constituency in Dhemaji district Bhuban Pegu was yesterday arrested in Dhemaji for allegedly assaulting a veterinary department officer.

He was later released on bail.

According to reports received here, the MLA had physically assaulted the officer on June 13 over a dispute regarding a list of beneficiaries.

Mr Pegu and his group had also damaged property of the superintendent's office. He was arrested on the basis of the FIR lodged by the veterinary officer.

Meanwhile, another MLA from the state Rupjyoti Kurmi, representing Mariani in Jorhat district, is also facing a court case from a political rival and five police complaints from members of All Assam Tribal Students' Association (AATSA).

Jorhat district NCP vice-president Haricharan Nag had filed a case against Mr Kurmi on June 15, alleging that the MLA had passed some derogatory remarks against him and even threatened him.

Mr Nag claimed that he had take support of the court after his FIR at the Mariani police station on June 12 failed to lead to any action.

Moreover, five members of the AATS, including its president, also filed complaints at the Mariani police station on June 15 against the local MLA.

In separate FIRs, the five AATSA members asked for security cover, alleging that Mr Kurmi had threatened them.

A source in the police station informed that two officers had been deputed to investigate the charges and action would be taken depending on their report.

UNI