Shillong, Dec 18 : With three legislators in the Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) facing assault charges, the MPA today said the government would not shield any politician who is found guilty.

The MPA also favours putting in place a “discipline mechanism” so that the legislators behave with decorum. Government spokesman Conrad Sangma told reporters that the government would not be soft on legislators involved in cases of assault involving MPA members.

He reiterated that there would be no political interference and the police had been given a free hand to probe the incidents.

The next meeting of the MPA, scheduled for early January, is likely to discuss the need to frame a behavioural code in the form of specific guidelines for MPA members.

On October 2, mining minister Donkupar Massar allegedly assaulted some labourers of Borsora. Soon after the labourers filed the FIR, the police started the investigation but are yet to submit the report. The delay in taking action irked the Opposition Congress and it criticised the government for shielding the minister.

On November 12, acase of assault was filed against another legislator, government chief whip Adolf Lu Hitler Marak, following an FIR by his personal security officer, S. Lyngdoh. However, Marak denied the charge and filed a counter FIR.

The third case was last week’s alleged assault oneducation minister Manas Chaudhuri by Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai at a marriage reception. Shullai has also filed a counter FIR denying the charge.

While Massar and Chaudhuri are Independent legislators supporting the MPA, both Marak and Shullai are from the NCP.

When contacted, Meghalaya director-general of police B.K. Dey Sawian said there was no political interference in any of the cases. He said investigations were nearly complete in Massar’s case, while the probe into the other two incidents was in progress.