No action till Meghalaya minister found guilty: CM

Shillong, Feb 12 : The Meghalaya government on Wednesday said action could be initiated against Mining and Geology Minister, Donkupar Massar, only after the court finds him guilty.

Massar allegedly threatened and beat up voters during Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council polls yesterday at Nongshken, where his wife Grace Mary Kharpuri was contesting. A mob set ablaze three of his cars at Pynursla following his action.

Stating that there were "different versions" of the assault, Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy said, "Police have to investigate the case properly. Unless the court convicts him and finds him guilty, we cannot initiate any action against the minister."

Roy, however, maintained that if the allegations of assault against the minister, an Independent MLA - continue, it would definitely affect the image of the state government.

He brushed aside the allegations of his being soft on dealing with such cases against ministers due to political compulsion of the ruling coalition.

He said law would take its own course of action and hoped "the minister will not repeat such type of incidents in future".