TURA: A primary school teacher was assaulted by a group of criminals at Phulbari market on Sunday evening for allegedly working for the former Meghalaya Assembly speaker and ex-Phulbari MLA, Abu Taher Mondal.
Shahnawaz Ahmed, who teaches at Hindi LP school, was outside a tea stall around 7.30 pm when a group of men led by a local criminal, identified as Mahabul Hoque of Koylaghat area, accosted him. They accused him of working for the Congress candidate in the recently concluded elections and started raining blows on the teacher and later left him unconscious by the pavement.
Supporters of newly elected NPP legislator SG Esmatur Mominin have been accused of the assault.
“The accused who was previously involved in criminal antecedents is on the run. We have registered a case and hope to arrest him soon,” said district police chief MGR Kumar.
Congress supporters allege that after the results were declared, there have been rising cases of threat against them by people allegedly linked to the NPP legislator.
They allege that most of the threats are against Congress supporters and workers residing in the Chibinang area of Phulbari, a stronghold of Mominin.
Mondal said he had received reports of intimidation and “I am concerned”.
“I have informed the district police about the situation,” he added.
However, Mominin has denied his supporters were involved in any of the incidents.
“This is the handiwork of the Congress to defame my name and the NPP because of their recent defeat in Phulbari,” said Mominin.
Meanwhile, the district police have stepped up security in sensitive areas of the plain belt region. Police are also reviewing the pre-poll bond taken as a deterrent from several dozen persons known for suspected unruly behaviour.
