JMM MLA arrested for slapping physically challenged teacher during bandh

Chakradharpur: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA from Chakradharpur Shashi Bhushan Samad was arrested on Thursday for allegedly slapping a physically challenged teacher during the statewide bandh called by opposition parties. An FIR was lodged against the legislator who was kept at the Chakradharpur police station from 9 am till late evening.

Sources said the MLA also had a heated debate with the local SDO Pradip Prasad. Earlier, the MLA allegedly pushed down the physically challenged teacher, Nirmal Kumar Dubey, at Anchal Colony Middle School, when the latter refused to shut down the school. Soon after Dubey fell from his chair, he was slapped by the legislator, police said.

DSP Sakaldeo Ram arrested the MLA and took him to the police station. The MLA denied having slapped the teacher. He said he had only had an argument with the alleged victim who fell from his chair. He said he did not know that the teacher was physically challenged. �I only asked the teacher to shut the school and did not assault him or anyone else. I am being implicated under a political conspiracy,� said Samad.

The bandh had partial impact on normal life in Chakradhapur and other parts of West Singhbhum. Police arrested 179 bandh supporters including district JMM president Bhuvneshwar Mahato.