At a time when a section of media reported that a supporter of the National People Party (NPP) in Arunachal Pradesh was shot dead by an NSCN-IM rebel at Kheti village in Tirap district, the party has claimed the man was beaten to death by unidentified miscreants on Friday night.
The deceased has been identified as Jaley Anna, a supporter of sitting MLA Tirong Aboh, who is contesting the ensuing assembly elections from the Khonsa West seat as an NPP candidate.
The miscreants also allegedly attacked another person namely Khamney Aboh, who is at present undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, is believed to be in a critical condition.
A statement released by the State unit of NPP on Saturday said that a group of unidentified people entered the houses of Anna and Aboh in Kheti Village at around 9.30 pm and took away the duo with them to some distance far from the village.
“The miscreants thrashed them badly and later dropped them near the village at around 10.30 pm. The villagers took the duo to the district hospital, however, Anna succumbed to his injuries after some time,” NPP state vice president Nima Sangey Saling said in a statement.
Saling said that Anna mentioned the name of one Eli Ketok before his last breath. Ketok who also lives in Kheti village is allegedly a member of the NSCN (IM), a banned underground outfit.
“Anna succumbed to the merciless beating by Eli Ketok of NSCN (IM) and his group. The condition of Aboh is also critical,” Saling said.
Following the incident, an FIR has been lodged at Khonsa Police Station by Chathien Anna, wife of late Anna and NPP district president Naklam Besai.
Tirap deputy commissioner P N Thungon and superintendent of police J Meena, when contacted, refused to comment on the matter saying “the case was under investigation”.
Strongly condemning the incident, the NPP has meanwhile called upon all the political parties of the State not to get involved with any kind of underground elements during the electoral politics.
“We should try to gain the sympathy of the people through our hard work and connect with the ones at grass root level with a clear vision of development peace and harmony. Peace in the society is the key to bring about all round development in the state,” the party said.
National president of the NPP and Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K. Sangma while reacting over the incident said he has been saddened by the killing of the party worker.
On his Twitter handle on Saturday, Conrad K. Sangma stated: “Sadden to hear that our party worker was shot dead in Arunachal’s Tirap district. May we learn to respect each other and fight election in its true spirit. I extended my condolences to the bereaved family member of Jaley Anna.”
Sadden to hear that our party worker was shot dead in Arunachal’s Tirap district. May we learn to respect each other and fight election in its true spirit. I extended my condolences to the bereaved family member of Jaley Anna.
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) March 30, 2019