MLA assaults man for ‘uncomfortable’ questions in public

SHILLONG: FREEDOM MARAK

HAD SOUGHT ANSWERS FROM SAMUEL SANGMA OVER TARDY PROGRESS OF DEVELOPMENT WORK IN THE TOWN, WHICH ANGERED THE MLA

One person in Meghalaya’s South Garo Hills district sustained severe injuries after an MLA allegedly attacked him for asking ‘uncomfortable’ questions in public relating to the developmental activities in his constituency, officials said on Saturday.

According to the FIR filed against the MLA at the Baghmara PS, Freedom Marak had sought answers from Samuel Sangma, a local legislator, over the tardy progress of development works in the town which angered him. The MLA, in a fit of rage, then started beating up Marak.

Marak was left behind with a swollen face and blackened eyes.

Another resident was also allegedly beaten up though he could not muster enough courage to file a police complaint against the legislator.

South Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma said, “We have received the complaint from one person who was allegedly beaten up by the MLA himself for questioning him.”

He added, “The matter is cur- rently under investigation and the person who was beaten up has been sent for a medical test.”

Samuel was elected as an independent candidate from Baghmara constituency in the 2013 assembly polls. A third-time MLA, Samuel is supporting Congress government in the state.

The incident and Marak’s photo went viral on social media.

“We condemn the attack on an innocent victim who sought to know as a voter. He (MLA) has no right to beat him up,” Civil Society Women Organisation president Agnes Kharshiing said.

“A failed MLA should be taken to task and he should be arrested,” A Rangad, convener of Thma U Rangli u Juki (TUR), a progressive people’s group, said.