Mob fury erupts as ex-Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul found dead at his residence in Itanagar

09 August, Itanagar

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul was found dead at his official residence here today, triggering mob violence. Police said Pul may have hanged himself to death about 0800 hours but no suicide note was found from his residence. As soon as the news of Pul’s death spread, hundreds of people assembled in front of Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s official residence, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged suicide.

Tension gripped the state capital as angry mobs attacked Mr Khandu’s residence and took to the streets torching vehicles.Protesters also attacked the official residence of Deputy CM Chowna Mein and damaged vehicles parked at the premises.

District administration has deployed ITBP, India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and state police to tackle the law and order situation.Pul had been chief minister for four-and-a-half months early this year before he resigned following a Supreme Court judgment against his government in July.

Apex Court had last month ordered the restoration of the previous Congress government. The court had also set aside Assembly Deputy Speaker’s order quashing the Speaker’s decision to disqualify 14 rebel Congress MLAs on December 15 last year.

Pul had become the Chief Minister with the help of 18 rebel Congress MLAs, two independents and 11 BJP lawmakers who had extended outside support to his government. Pul had succeeded Nabam Tuki as Chief Minister following the dismissal of the Tuki government after 21 of the 47 Congress MLAs – rebelled against him. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Mr Khandu about Pul’s death.