Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh was killed in a terrorist ambush in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district on Tuesday.
Besides the National People’s Party leader, 10 others who were in his convoy were also killed. Aboh, his son who was driving the car, his brother, two personal security guards (PSO) and six other National People Party’s workers were also killed in the ambush.
“The incident occurred around 11:30 am in Bogapani of Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Suddenly terrorists attacked the convoy and eleven persons were killed including the MLA,” said a senior police official of Arunachal Pradesh Police.
Tirong was a sitting MLA who was also contesting the assembly elections in the state from the same seat – Khonsa West.
Soon after the ambush, the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles cordoned off the area and began combing operations. “Indian Army and Assam Rifles are engaged together in search and combing operations to nab the militants who killed the MLA and ten others. CRPF troops from Khonsa have also been rushed to the ambush site,” added the senior official.
An NPP supporter was killed in March in the same district.
National People’s Party president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma condemned the incident and tweeted, “The NPP strongly condemns the brutal attack on Shri Tirong Aboh and his family and his security personnel.”
On the other hand, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh took to Twitter to express grief over the incident, “Shocked and anguished by the killing of MLA Tirong Aboh ji, his family and 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.”
Interestingly, a ceasefire agreement between the Indian government of India and NSCN/NK and NSCN/R for a further period of one year with effect from 28th April 2019 i.e. till 27th April 2020 was extended.
However, sources in the Arunachal Pradesh Police reveal that the ambush was carried out by the IM faction of the NSCN. Sources also reveal that the district which was a stronghold of NSCN (K) is now fast turning into a stronghold of the NSCN (IM).
