Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh, 10 others gunned down by 'NSCN militants'; ‘political rivalry’ suspected

Tirong Aboh was seeking re-election from Khonsa West Assembly seat.  |  Photo Credit: IANS

Itanagar: Suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) militants on Tuesday attacked and killed sitting MLA of Khonsa West constituency and National People's Party (NPP) Assembly Election candidate Tirong Aboh and 10 others.

The dead included Aboh’s family members, three police personnel and a poll agent. The horrendous incident took place in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh while 41-year-old Aboh was returning to his constituency from Assam.

Aboh was seeking re-election from the Khonsa West constituency.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Kumar Waii said that he suspected 'political rivalry' behind Aboh’s killing.

"I condemn this incident. This kind of incident has never taken place before. An inquiry into the incident is important. A political rival has done this," said the Home Minister.

As per initial reports, seven people were killed in the attack, however, Director General of Police (DGP) SBK Singh later put the death toll at 11.

Singh told news agency PTI that the suspected NSCN militants opened fire at their vehicles near 12 Mile area in the Tirap district at around 11.30 am.

The DGP added that one security officer, who received injuries in the incident, has been hospitalised in Dibrugarh, Assam.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed his shock over the incident, saying the perpetrators will be hunted down.

"Action will be initiated to hunt down the perpetrators. My heartfelt condolences. May the departed souls rest in peace," he said.

NPP president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma condemned the attack and sought the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

"The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take action against those responsible for such attack," Sangma tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee said that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party be blamed for the "prevailing lawlessness and chaos" in the state.

"If elected representatives of the state are not safe under the present dispensations at the Centre and the state, how can common people feel secure," the party said.

While calling for a high-level judicial probe into the incident, the party’s statement said, "Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his BJP government are solely responsible for lawlessness and all chaos in the state."

Home Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed anguish over Aboh's killing and dubbed it as an "outrageous attempt" to disturb peace in the Northeast.

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that he was "shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of MLA Shri Tirong Aboh of Arunachal Pradesh, his family including 11 people. Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack."

In Arunachal Pradesh, the Assembly Elections were held concurrently with the Lok Sabha polls. 

Source: Times Now News