People bid tearful adieu to Pul

Police seizes 4 booklets written by the former CM

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Aug 11: The mortal remains of former Aruchal Pradesh chief minister Kalikho Pul was laid to rest on Thursday at Hawai in Anjaw district bordering Chi with full State honours.

More than 1,000 people gathered in the funeral ground to pay their last homage to the departed soul with soaked eyes. The State Government had declared State mourning for three days and holiday on Thursday as a mark of respect to the departed soul.     

The cremation ceremony was performed at around 3.30 PM as per traditiol Mishmi rituals.

Commissioner General Administration (GAD) Hage Kojin and IGP vin Payeng along with many senior government officials attended the last rites of Pul, official sources informed.

A contingent of BJP and Congress legislators from the State and neighbouring Assam along with BJP State unit president Tapir Gao also joined the funeral of the former chief minister.

The legislators from Assam who joined the last rites of the leader include PWD Minister Parimal Suklabaidya and MLA Padma Hazarika.

A pall of gloom descended over picturesque Hawai when the body of Pul consigned into flames.

The Theravada Buddhist Society here offered special prayer to pay homage to Pul on the auspicious occasion of Sitang Petwant at Theravada Buddha Kyong. Candles were lit while; flowers and incense stick were also offered to pay glowing tribute to the departed soul.

Meanwhile, police has seized a few booklets reportedly written by Pul, who ended his life on Tuesday last.

The four 60-page booklets titled ‘Mere Vichaar’ (My Thoughts) were found in the room where Pul hanged himself to death, Additiol District Magistrate (ADM) Talo Potom, who has been appointed as magistrate for the inquest told reporters here.

Potom, however, was reluctant to divulge any details regarding the contents of the booklets stating that he had sealed the documents and handed over to the police and that he is not the right authority to comment on it as he was only assigned for the inquest.

“I was only ordered to conduct inquest by the district magistrate under section 176 CrPc. There are few forms and queries at the place of occurrence, deposition of witness and whatever found on the scene were handed over to the police,” Potom said adding, “inquest is different from enquiry”.

When asked detail about other seized materials, the ADM revealed that there were four mobile handsets and one tablet.

“We have not read the booklets so it cannot be assumed as suicide note. There was no diary found from the spot as alleged. The police have already registered a case and is under investigation,” he added.

Principal Secretary (Home) Satya Gopal informed that enquiry would be done as per law and the inquest was ordered which was done at ADM level officer.

Sub inspector AK Jha has been appointed as the investigating officer, he said.