New Delhi, May 21 (PTI): Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday expressed anguish over the killing of an MLA, his son and nine others in Arunachal Pradesh by suspected NSCN rebels and termed it as an “outrageous attempt” to disturb peace in the Northeast.
His deputy Kiren Rijiju also demanded strongest possible action against those responsible for the dastardly attack.
“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,” Singh said in a tweet.
Rijiju said he was shocked and saddened by the brutal attack and tragic killing of Aboh, his family members and others.
“Strongest possible action will be taken against those responsible for such dastardly attack,” he tweeted.
Suspected Naga militants Tuesday gunned down Aboh, a sitting MLA from Khonsa West constituency, and 10 others, including his son and security personnel, in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The MLA was also seeking re-election from the same constituency on a ticket of the National People’s Party, headed by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
Aboh was on his way from Assam to his constituency, along with his family members, three police personnel and a poll agent, when suspected NSCN-IM rebels opened fire at their vehicles around 11.30am.
Army launches operation, forces rushed
The Army on Tuesday launched a massive operation in and around Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh where suspected militants ambushed the convoy of sitting MLA Tirong Aboh, killing him and 10 others, including his minor son, two personal security officers (PSOs) and some of his relatives.
A senior police official in Itanagar 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.
Police said that Aboh, his minor son and others were travelling in a convoy of four vehicles from Dibrugarh in Assam to Khonsa when the armed militants stopped the convoy at 12 Mile area, located 20 kms from Khonsa and fired upon them.
While 11 persons were killed, two security personnel received serious bullet injuries and a woman escaped unhurt, police said.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed extreme anguish and shock over the ghastly incident and assured that befitting action would be initiated against the perpetrators.
The 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.
