NPP MLA, His Son Among 11 Killed In Arunachal Pradesh
ITANAGAR : Lawmaker and his son were among 11 people killed by NSCN (IM) militants in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district today. Two others were critically injured in the attack.Arunachal Pradesh: Tirong Aboh had received death threats from the NSCN (IM) militants in the past as well.
Tirong Aboh, a legislator of the Conrad Sangma-led National People’s Party, had earlier received death threats from the armed group, according to police sources. National People’s Party is part of the BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance.
Mr Aboh was on his way back from Assam when his three-car convoy was stopped by the Naga rebel group, sources said. One of the cars was reportedly being driven by his son. The militants were all in combat fatigue and opened firing on the vehicles, sources said.
The attack took place in Bogapani area, about 260 km east of the state capital Itanagar. The Assam Rifles has launched a counter-militant operation in the area.
Police said the assailants, allegedly belonging to the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, ambushed the vehicles of NPP candidate Tirong Aboh’s family was travelling in near Bogapani at around 11.30 a.m. Among the dead was his son.
The NPP had fielded Mr. Aboh from the Khonsa West Assembly constituency that he had won in 2014 on a People’s Party of Arunachal ticket. Election to the constituency was held on April 11.
P.N. Thungon, the Deputy Commissioner of Tirap district, confirmed Mr. Aboh’s death as well as that of 10 others.
“Extremely shocked by unfortunate incident of killing of Khonsa MLA Tirong Aboh along with several others by insurgents,” tweeted Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
“The NPP strongly condemns the brutal attack on Tirong Aboh and his family and his security personnels” (sic.), tweeted Conrad Sangma, Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP Chief.
“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 (Home Minister) @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia (Narendra Modi) to take action against those responsible for such attack,” he said.
“I’m shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of MLA Tirong Aboh of Arunachal Pradesh, his family including 11 people. Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack,” Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a tweet.
Election to 60 Assembly and two parliamentary seats in Arunachal Pradesh had been marked by violence. Tirap, where various NSCN factions are active, had witnessed the killing of an NPP supporter on March 29. He was identified as Jaley Anna.(With Inputs from Agencies).
