A sitting MLA of Arunachal Pradesh, with his son, and ten others were killed by suspected militants of the National Socialists Council (NSCN) of Nagaland on May 21, in Tirap district, reported the Times of India. Following the incident, a massive counter-insurgency operation has been launched by the Assam Rifles in the Tirap’s district.
Forty-five-year-old Tirong Aboh, who contested from Khonsa West in the just concluded assembly election, was travelling from Assam’s Dibrugarh district to his constituency when the militants ambushed and attacked his vehicle and four other convoy vehicle.
Cops say the incident happened around 11.30 AM, 20 km in between Khonsa and Deomali road when the militants fired at close range. It is reported that the militants had also set ablaze one convoy vehicle. Cops are yet to identify two dead bodies. One bodyguard and a supporter who sustained injuries were rushed to Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh.
One of the sources aware of the situation mentioned that the attack was executed by the Isak-Muviah faction of the NSCN, a separatist group in the area. The militant group has been pushing for a separate state for the people of Naga.
According to security agency sources, Adoh had received several threats from the NSCN (I-M) for opposing their presence in the state. The faction had also attacked Adoh, in 2009 and 2014.
One of the supporters from Aboh’s party informed that NSCN (I-M) had warned Aboh to not contest this assembly election. In the last month, the militant faction had killed Jaley Anna, one of Aboh’s supporters.
Politicians condemn the attack
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Khandu condemning the incident said, “Action will be initiated to hunt down the perpetrators.” Meghalaya Chief Minister and the president of the NPP, Conrad Sangma, expressed his discontent on Twitter.
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 @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take action against those responsible for such attack.
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 21, 2019
Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio also tweeted:
I am shocked by the news of ambush of Tirong Aboh, MLA from #ArunachalPradesh‘s Khonsa West Assembly Constituency, along with family and others accompanying him. I condemn the brutal attack and urge the government to take action against those responsible.
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) May 21, 2019
Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that the attack was made to cause a disturbance in the peace in the region.
Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family & others in Arunachal Pradesh.
It is an outrageous attempt to disturb peace and normalcy in the North East. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will not be spared. My condolences to the bereaved families.
— Chowkidar Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 21, 2019
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee blamed the state government and the Centre for failing to provide better security to the elected representatives. In a statement, the party said, “If elected representatives of the state are not safe under the present at the Centre and the state, how can common people feel secure.” The committee further asked for a high-level judicial inquiry into the matter.
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