Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh, 10 others killed in NSCN(IM) ambush  

Tirong Aboh.

New Delhi: At least 11 people, including National People’s Party MLA Tirong Aboh, have been killed in Arunachal Pradesh when suspected militants of the National Socialistist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) group ambushed them in Arunachal Pradesh, on Tuesday. Those killed included seven members of Aboh’s family. This incident happened near Bogapani in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district.

The chief minister of Meghalaya, Konrad Sangma strongly condemned the attack.

Tirong Aboh was the MLA of Khonsa West seat of Arunachal Pradesh. The National People’s Party is a regional political party of India. The influence of this party is mainly in the state of Meghalaya. The party was formed by PA Sangma. Sangma formed the party in July 2012 when his faction parted ways with the Nationalist Congress Party.

Arunachal Pradesh’s director general of police SBK Singh said along with Aboh, his son, four other relatives and a security man was killed in the ambush. During the firing, 10 people died on the spot. A constable died in the hospital. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu said those who plotted and carried out the assassination will not be spared. He said an operation was under way to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Police sources said the militants had threatened to kill Tirong Aboh earlier as well. Aboh contested the last assembly election from an NPP ticket. Earlier, he fought on a Congress ticket and was elected as a Congress MLA.

According to the police, Aboh was travelling in a convoy of three vehicles. His son was driving one of these vehicles, which was the first in the convoy. NSCN(IM) militants in the area stopped the first car in the convoy and started firing indiscriminately at it. All militants were in military fatigues.

After the incident the Assam Rifles has launched a search campaign in the area. NSCN(IM) militants had earlier killed NPP and local leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the region.

Arunachal Pradesh BJP MP and Union minister of state for home affairs Kiran Rijiju, in a tweet, said he was “shocked and saddened” by the brutal killing of Aboh and others. He also assured that strong action will be taken against those who carried out this attack.

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.

— Chowkidar Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) May 21, 2019

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