IGP rank officer to head investigation into Pul's death

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Aug 14: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Chief Minister has directed that a senior police officer not below the rank of IGP would head an investigation into the death due to alleged suicide of former state chief minister Kalikho Pul.

Khandu said this during a high level meeting yesterday evening with Chief Secretary Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, DGP S Nithiandam and Principal Secretary (Home) Satya Gopal to review the law and order situation of the state capital, a communiqué from the chief minister office informed here today.

Khandu also asked the police to expedite the investigation into Pul’s death and complete it within the shortest possible time. An IGP, however, was yet to be med to head the investigation.

Pul, a rebel Congress who had become chief minister of the state on February 19 amid political drama that had begun in December last year, ceased to hold the office following a Supreme Court judgment of July 13. While the apex court order had reinstated bam Tuki as chief minister, the latter resigned two days later to make way for Pema Khandu to become the new chief minister of the frontier state.

Meanwhile, Aruchal Pradesh governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa, who had landed in a controversy following the dismissal of then chief minister bam Tuki and installation of Kalikho Pul in his place, has resumed charge as governor of the state yesterday after remaining on leave over six weeks following serious illness.

As Rajkhowa underwent a major surgery and had to remain on leave, Tripura governor Tathagata Roy was given additiol charge of Aruchal Pradesh for the past five weeks.

Khandu yesterday called on governor Rajkhowa at Raj Bhawan who, expressed hope that the state government under the leadership of Khandu would rise to the expectations of the people.