Meghalaya Minister accused of slapping villager

Shillong, Apr 29 (UNI) The Congress has accused Meghalaya Mining and Geology Minister Donkupar Massar of assaulting a villager for not supporting him in the March three Assembly election.

Mr Massar, who contested the Assembly election as an Independent candidate, outseated K K Dkhar of the Congress from Nongshken constituency bordering Bangladesh.

In a statement here today, the Nongshken Block Congress Committee (NBCC) alleged that the Minister assaulted Ferdinand Ryngksai on April 19 at Kongwang village for campaigning against Mr Massar during the election.

''The offence committed by Mr Massar amounts to attempting to suppress the democratic rights of an individual and create fear-psychosis among people,'' NBCC vice-president K K Tangsong said.

Urging the governmentM the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) Government to take steps to refrain the Minister from further committing such uncivilised acts, the Congress said unless preventive measures were taken, the Minister would create a reign of terror.

However, the Minister could not be contacted to ascertain the allegations.

UNI RRK SJC RL HS1804