Suspected NSCN (IM) militants Tuesday gunned down anassembly poll candidate of the NPP and six others, including two securitypersonnel, in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a top official said.
Tirong Aboh, a sitting MLA from Khonsa West constituency,was seeking a re-election from the seat.
Aboh was on his way to his constituency from Assam, alongwith four civilians and two police personnel, when the suspected rebels openedfire at their vehicle near Bogapani village in the district around 11.30 am,Tirap deputy commissioner P N Thungon said.
All seven of them died on the spot, he said, adding thatmore details were awaited.
Condemning the attack, NPP president and Meghalaya ChiefMinister Conrad K Sangma sought the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Officeand Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.
“The NPP is extremely shocked and saddened by the newsof the death of its MLA Shri Tirong Aboh (Arunachal Pradesh) and his family. Wecondemn the brutal attack and urge @rajnathsingh and @PMOIndia to take actionagainst those responsible for such attack,” Sangma tweeted.
Assembly polls were held concurrently with Lok Sabhaelections in Arunachal Pradesh.