MLA assaults photographer who caught him sleeping in assembly

Founder Cajee, a ruling Congress legislator in Meghalaya, on Monday assaulted a photo journalist in the premises of the assembly complex in Shillong, much to the surprise of all other legislators and journalists present there.

The incident occurred just after the assembly session got over for the day, when photo journalist Wanton Jyrwa was talking to two other legislators in the lobby of the House. It has triggered a sharp reaction and attracted widespread condemnation from various quarters in the hill state.

The seriously injured photographer was immediately rushed to the Shillong Civil Hospital.

According to president of Shillong Press Club David Laitphlang, "Photo journalist Jyrwa was talking with a couple of legislators in the lobby of the state assembly after the session was over for the day following the presentation of the state budget, when Congress MLA Founder Cajee assaulted him black and blue."

It was learnt that the photo journalist had taken a photograph of Cajee, showing him sleeping inside the assembly, a few days ago. The photograph was carried prominently in a section of local newspapers.

The Shillong Press Club called for an emergency protest meeting to condemn the incident and lodged an FIR with the superintendent of police of East Khasi Hills district against the Congress MLA. It also submitted complaints to Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope.

Leader of the Opposition in Meghalaya Assembly and Nationalist Congress Party legislator Conrad Sangma condemned the incident and demanded action against the MLA for attacking the photo journalist.