Two jawans killed, MLA detained in Meghalaya

Shillong, Mar 1 (UNI) Two CRPF jawans were killed, while a sitting Congress MLA and candidate Elstone D Marak was detained by Meghalaya police for assaulting a church leader during the last 24-hours in Meghalaya, police said today.

The two CRPF jawans, deployed for election duties, were killed inside a bus travelling to Rongjeng constituency near Deputy Commissioner's office in Williamnagar, the district headquarters of East Garo Hills district, today due to ''accidental-firing''.

The jawans were killed when Sub-Inspector Bhopinder Singh's carbine fell inside the bus and the firing occurred accidentally killing him and his colleague Manjit Singh on the spot, District Superintendent of Police S Nongtynger told UNI over phone.

The police official, however, said the police have registered a case.

Meanwhile, former Health and Family Welfare Minister and Congress candidate for Kharkutta constituency was detained by police last night for assaulting a church elder at an election meeting.

Sources said the incident took place when the pastor questioned the MLA on the developmental works he had undertaken for his constituency during the last five years.

Mr Marak, who took offence to the query, allegedly slapped the pastor on the face.

Mr Marak then fled from the scene to take refuge inside Kharkutta Police Outpost, police said.

However, over a thousand people surrounded the police outpost, demanding that the Congress MLA be arrested and put behind bars. The tension somewhat eased after Mr Marak was reportedly shown with his hands under ''handcuffs.'' Mr Marak was released today after the district authorities' intervention.

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