MLA and NPP Assembly poll candidate Tirong Aboh, 10 others gunned down by suspected NSCN militants in Tirap

* Army operation launched in and around Khonsa

OUR BUREAU

ITANAGAR/DIGBOI: Suspected NSCN militants on Tuesday gunned down MLA and NPP Assembly poll candidate Tirong Aboh and ten others, including his son and security personnel, in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a top police officer said.

Meanwhile, the Army has launched a massive operation in and around Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh. A senior police official here stated this while adding that additional forces have also been sent to Khonsa and adjoining areas to nab the culprits behind the killing. “The government has also rushed the DIG (Eastern range), IGP (Law and Order) and the SPs of both Tirap and Changlang districts to the place of occurrence to coordinate the operation,” he said.

Aboh was on his way to his constituency from Dibrugarh in Assam, along with his son Longgem Aboh and other relatives, four personal security officers (PSOs) and a poll agent in a convoy of four vehicles when they were stopped by armed militants and fired upon, DGP SBK Singh said.

The others who were killed in the incident included Wangngoi Hakhun, Jalin Hakhun, Ganwang Hakhun, Matlam Aboh, Pangro, two PSOs of Aboh – Ponhang Agi and B. Siksa – the police said, adding that two other victims are yet to be identified.

Police said two other PSOs escorting Aboh – Wangsan Hakhun and Wangdan Hakhun – received bullet injuries while one woman and another PSO escaped unhurt in the incident which took place at around 11.30 am in the 12 Mile area, 20 km from Khonsa, the district headquarters. The civilian and the PSO have been shifted to a hospital in Dibrugarh, Assam, the DGP said.

Aboh, a National People’s Party (NPP) MLA from Khonsa West constituency of the hill State, contested the recently held Assembly elections for a second term and received threats from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Issak and Muivah (NSCN-IM) militants over this. Aboh was elected to the seat in 2014 on a People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) ticket.

The 41-year-old NPP leader hailed from Dadam village in Khonsa town of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh. He completed his high school from Government Higher Secondary School, Khonsa. He was also the chief organizer of Congress Seva Dal in Tirap district from 2002 to 2006.

This is the second incident in the district, after an NPP supporter was killed on March 29 this year by NSCN (IM) militants while, he along with his friend, was campaigning for Aboh.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju condemned the incident. “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,” Rijiju tweeted.

Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Brig B.D. Mishra (retd.) has also expressed his deep grief and condolences on the assassination of Aboh and 10 others and said that the State government is resolved to deal firmly with the situation and the perpetrators of the crime will, sooner than later, have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

NPP chief and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma expressed shock over the tragedy. “The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the news of the death of its MLA Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. We condemn the brutal attack and urge Home Minister Rajnath Singh and the PMO to take action against those responsible for such attack,” Sangma tweeted.

“I’m extremely shocked by the unfortunate killing of Khonsa MLA Tirong Aboh and several others by insurgents. I strongly condemn this barbarous act. Action will be initiated to hunt down the perpetrators. May the souls of those departed rest in peace,” Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu tweeted.

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) also condemned the brutal killing of Aboh and 10 others. Demanding an immediate high-level judicial inquiry into the incident, it added that all the culprits involved in the shocking incident must be nabbed.

Also read: Arunachal news