Meghalaya minister lands up in fresh 'assault' controversy

Shillong, Oct 23 (UNI) Meghalaya Mining and Geology Minister Donkupar Massar is caught in another ''assault'' controversy for not supporting him in the March 3 state Assembly elections.

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

The fresh controversy against the Mining and Geology Minister came into light after the village council of Pongtung lodged an FIR against the minister for ''assaulting'' and ''threatening'' Wallambok Lyngdoh, the headman of the village.

In an FIR filed with the Pynursla police, the village council claimed that Massar assaulted and threatened Lyngdoh on September 28.

The FIR also said the minister had threatened to come along with his men to the village again to ''repeat the same action''.

''Police should arrest the Minister immediately and also provide protection to the local residents to ensure that no untoward incident takes place at the village again,'' the FIR said.

Copies of the FIR were also sent to Chief Minister Donkupar Roy and Deputy Chief Minister (Home) Hoping Stone Lyngdoh.

Massar, who is on an official visit to the US along with two other ministers -- Paul Lyngdoh and AL Hek, is facing criminal charges for ''assaulting and threatening to kill'' road labourers at Lailad near Borsora, West Khasi Hills on October 3 and 4.

The Chief Minister said the government would not shield the minister, if found guilty for misuse of power and assault of road labourers.

UNI RRK ADG SBC SB SSC1601