NGOs asks removal and arrest of cabinet minister

Shillong, Oct 7 (UNI) Nine social organisations today asked Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy to immediately drop Donkupar Massar from his cabinet following charges of assaulting and threatening to kill four labourers.

Mr Massar, who holds the Mining and Geology and Excise portfolios, was accused of assaulting and threatening to kill the labourers on October 3 and 4 at Borsora village, bordering Bangladesh in West Khasi Hills District.

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

Of the four victims, three of them had lodged an FIR against the minister at Ranikor police station demanding immediate arrest of the minister.

In their FIR, the trio alleged that besides assaulting them, the minister along with two other persons also threatened to shoot them.

'' We failed to understand the reasons behind the high handedness of the minister as we have no personal enimity with him,'' Ramsiej, one of the victim told reporters here.

Meanwhile, nine West Khasi Hills district-based organisations, which held an emergent joint meeting here today, demanded the immediate removal and arrest of Mr Massar.

'' If the government failed to comply with our demand, the NGOs would have no other option but to go to the streets to put pressure,'' Hynniewtrep A'chik National Movement President Lamphrang Kharbani said.

Earlier, the Congress party had urged the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government to take steps to refrain the minister from further committing such uncivilized acts.

UNI RRK RH KLC1642