Shillong, Dec 20 : Meghalaya minister Donkupar Massar, who has three cases of assault pending against him, was today accused of extortion by petrol pumps owners in the state who demanded his resignation."Massar has asked the owners to pay Rs 50,000 and Rs one lakh monthly, depending on whether they were tribal or non-tribal," Meghalaya Petroleum Dealers and Transporters Association told Chief Minister Donkupar Roy today.

The association alleged the Mining and Geology minister had engaged three to four Naga youths to enforce payment. In a memorandum to Roy, the association demanded that Massar be dropped from the ministry and action against him.

All petrol pump owners would close down their outlets indefinitely from January 1 to register protest, it said.

Massar, an Independent, is already under police investigation in three cases of alleged assault.
He has been accused of assaulting four labourers in Borsora in West Khasi Hills district and also the Pongtung village headman Wallambok Lyngodoh in East Khasi Hills.

Three separate FIRs have been filed against Massar in Ranikor police station in West Khasi Hills and Pynursla in East Khasi Hills district. Massar, however, has secured anticipatory bail from a local court.

This is the third case of alleged criminal conduct by an MLA of the ruling alliance in less than three months.

Education Minister Manas Choudhuri had earlier lodged an FIR alleging Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai, in an inebriated condition, had assaulted him and threatened to kill him at a marriage party recently.

Government Chief Whip and NCP MLA Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak is also under police probe in an assault case. Marak's PSO had lodged an FIR alleging that the MLA had assaulted him.