Meghalaya Minister secures anticipatory bail

Shillong, Nov 4 (UNI) Fearing immediate arrest, Meghalaya Mining and Geology Minister Donkupar Massar has secured anticipatory bail from a local court here, official sources said today.

Mr Massar has been accused of assaulting four labourers in Borsora in West Khasi Hills district and also Pongtung village headman Wallambok Lyngdoh in East Khasi Hills district.

Two separate FIRs have been filed against Mr Massar in Ranikor police station of West Khasi Hills and Pynursla of East Khasi Hills district.

Police officials, however, said the Minister will be interrogated soon after his arrival from official tour to the US.

Sources said the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council Court had granted anticipatory bail to Mr Massar about two weeks ago in the case related to the alleged assault by him on four road construction labourers on October 3 and 4.

The Joint Action Committee on Assault of Labourers (JCAL) today threatened to agitate if the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance government failed to sack the Mining and Geology Minister from the Cabinet.

Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, however, said his government was not trying to protect the minister.

''We have to follow certain process before initiating action against a minister,'' he said.

''A decision on Massar case will not be political but on the merit of the two cases,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress has threatened to raise the issue in the winter session of the Meghalaya Assembly if the government fails to take action against the minister.

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