Arunachal Pradesh MLA and his son including other 9 killed in an ambush

Suspected members of a Naga extremist group on May 21 gunned down 11 people including a legislator and candidate of the National People’s Party (NPP) in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.

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 traveling 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.

“I'm 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,” Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said in a tweet.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, also the president of NPP, condemned the “brutal attack” and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to take action against those responsible for the killing.

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.

The May 11 ambush coincided with a poll conducted at Nampa under Koloriang Assembly constituency in Kurung Kumey district and Gimba under Tali Assembly constituency in Kra-Daadi district.