KHONSA, May 21: In a tragic incident, sitting MLA and NPP assembly poll candidate Tirong Aboh, his son, Longgem Aboh and nine others were killed when suspected NSCN militants ambushed and opened fire at his convoy today.  
Aboh (41), who represented the Khonsa West constituency, was seeking a re-election from the seat.
Besides, Tirong Aboh and his son, Wangngoi Hakhun,Jalin Hakun, Ganwang Hakun,Matlam Aboh, Mr Pangro, Ponhang Agi (PSO),B Siksa (PSO)  and two others yet to be identified were killed.  Two others, Wangsan Hakhun(PSO), and Wangdan Hakhun a civilian sustained bullet injuries. While a woman and another PSO escaped unhurt.
Police informed that the attack took place at 12th mile i.e, 20 Km from Khonsa on the Khonsa - Deomali road around noon on Tuesday.
In the attack, two police personnel (PSO) have also lost their lives. One personal security officer is injured while the fourth officer escaped unhurt. Aboh was moving in a convoy of four vehicles when they were stopped by armed men and were fired upon.
Operation by Army units has also been launched in the area for arrest of the perpetrators. SP immediately rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation and shifted the dead bodies to the hospital at Khonsa for post mortem.
DIGP(E) and SP, Changlang with additional force have rushed to Khonsa. IGP (L&O) has also moved for Khonsa to supervise and coordinate with different security agencies for the operation, said a release issued by the Police headquarters.
Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, BD Mishra and Chief Minister Pema Khandu have expressed anguish and vehemently condemned the dastardly act.
Khandu assured that befitting action would be initiated against the perpetrators.
“The barbaric and inhuman act of such magnitude is rare and not acceptable,” the CM emphatically said while assuring all possible measures to nab the culprits and give them exemplary punishments. Operation by Army has already been launched while additional forces from Changlang have been rushed to Khonsa for operations. 
While expressing deep condolences, Khandu prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and wished speedy recovery of the injured.
The Governor said that the dastardly and cowardly action of the assassins has deeply shocked and pained the entire citizenry of the State.
The Governor 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 sins.
In this hour of the pall of grief, the Governor has prayed for the eternal peace for the departed souls and for fortitude for the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss of their dear ones. The Governor has also appealed to the people of the State, particularly in the insurgency affected areas to help maintain peace and normalcy in their places and, with empathy, stand by the families of the victims of this despicable action of the assassins.

Condemning the attack, NPP president and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma sought the intervention of the Prime Minister's Office and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

"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," Sangma tweeted.
State NPP President Gichok Kabak and former Home Minister Kumar Waii also condemned the incident in the strongest terms while demanding an investigation. Waii claimed the incident as political murder and demanded immediate inquiry into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for the "prevailing lawlessness and chaos" in the state.
"If elected representatives of the state are not safe under the present dispensations at the Centre and the state, how can common people feel secure," the party said in a statement.
Demanding a high-level judicial inquiry into the incident, it also said, "Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his BJP government are solely responsible for lawlessness and all chaos in the state." 
Aboh was elected from the Khonsa West seat in 2014 on a Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) ticket.
Assembly polls were held concurrently with Lok Sabha elections in Arunachal Pradesh. (with PTI inputs)
Words of condemnation and angst over the gruesome killing of Tirong Aboh, including his minor son are pouring in.
Arunachal Pradesh BJP led by its State President, Tapir Gao has expressed deep shock and anguish over this dastardly act of violence. In a press release issued today, it has termed the act ‘cowardly’ and ‘murder of democracy which has no place in a civilised society’.  It has also strongly appealed to the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and take stringent action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime.  
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) in a press release has termed the incident as a possible outcome of political instigation, AAPSU has appealed every citizen of the state to shun violence and refrain from anti-social activities.
“Late Tirong Aboh was a fearless and vocal leader who selflessly took up the issues pertaining to the general populace both inside and outside the state assembly. AAPSU strongly urges both the state and union governments to launch immediate operations to nab all those involved in this gruesome murder incident,” their press release read.
Highlighting that the people of the state especially the Tirap, Changlang and Longding district inhabitants have been witnessing a reign of terror created by anti-social elements and insurgents, AAPSU has also cited the examples of the recent killings of Seliam Wangsa, a ZPM and political workers like Tirong Aboh and Jaley Anna. Such acts of violence are beyond tolerance and it is high time for launching actions against such elements so that public confidence and faith is restored, the press release said.
Placing the demand for constitution of a high level investigation team for probing all election related killings and violence in Tirap, Longding and Changlang (TLC) belt, the union has also appealed for peace and urged the people  to abstain from  politically motivated revenge killings. AAPSU while mourning the death of Tirong Aboh said that the state has lost a proud son whose vacuum shall be hard to fill.
Meanwhile, the North East Human Rights Organization has also condemned the incident and demanded proper investigation on the incident.
Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) members also condemned the dastardly killing of MLA Tirong Aboh. While conveying condolences to the bereaved families and praying for the eternal peace of all departed souls, APLS made a fervent plea to facilitate peace as the state is poised for faster development.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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