Itanagar, August 9 : Tension gripped the Arunachal Pradesh capital on Tuesday after former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, unseated on July 13 by a Supreme Court ruling, committed suicide, police said.
Pul, 47, was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his official residence. Incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein confirmed to IANS that Pul had committed suicide.
"We have also recovered a suicide note from the room where the former Chief Minister committed suicide. I am not in a position to divulge much at this moment," said a senior police official.
Supporters gathered in front of the Chief Minister's residence and destroyed a coffin brought for Pul. The demonstrators defied the security forces guarding Chowna Mein's house and entered and vandalized it. They also destroyed some parked vehicles.
Some of them demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to find out what forced Pul to kill himself and demanded the resignation of the Khandu government.
Pul was widely admired for his compassionate approach towards the needy. He was known for high probity in public life and honest politics. After becoming the Chief Minister, Pul began holding 'Janata Darbar' every Saturday in different parts of the state to interact with the people. He also allowed his helicopter to carry critically ill patients to Itanagar and to other places in the country for treatment.
Khandu called an emergency cabinet meeting and has announced a three-day mourning. "The cabinet is shocked and shattered that our senior colleague and a seasoned leader took this extreme step," an official statement said.
In a message to Pul's wife, Khandu said: "It pains my heart to write to you at this moment of extreme grief. I humbly endure to share with you the saddest times of your life though I know that it would be hard to do so."
Although Khandu became the Chief Minister on July 16, Pul was yet to vacate the Chief Minister's residence as his house was being renovated.
A Congress leader, Pul took office on February 19, unseating then Congress Chief Minister Nabam Tuki. Later, Pul and his supporters joined the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), a regional outfit. After the Supreme Court reinstated the Tuki government, Pul and his supporters returned to the Congress and supported Khandu to become the Chief Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Pul's death. "My thoughts are with the family and supporters of Kalikho Pulji on his sad demise. His service to Arunachal Pradesh will be remembered," he said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed shock over his death. Extending her condolences to the family of Pul, Gandhi said: "I pray for the peace of the departed soul."
Pul, who represents Hyuliang constituency in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, had served in various capacities in Arunachal Pradesh including as Finance, Power and Tribal Affairs Minister.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal too mourned the untimely demise of Kalikho Pul.
"He was a man of grit and determination and filled with innovative ideas," Sonowal said in a message.
Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang in condolence message recalled, “We had campaigned together for the BJP during the last Assam Assembly elections and had shared the dais with the Prime Minister just on the eve of the polls in Assam. We were also together on that fateful day of July 13, 2016 during launching Ceremony of the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) by the National BJP President, Amit Shah at Guwahati, where minutes before the function started, the Supreme Court passed the decision restoring the Congress Government in Arunachal Pradesh. He had come to sit by my side before the function started, and I tried to console him by saying that there always will be another day to fight back, and asked him not to lose heart. Little did I imagine that would be the last time we saw each other.” Zeliang on behalf of the people and the Government of Nagaland conveyed deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and the people of Arunachal Pradesh, and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
Around 500 personnel of the Central paramilitary forces were today rushed to Arunachal Pradesh in the wake of violence following the death of former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul. Five companies (100 personnel in each company) of paramilitary force have been sent to Arunachal Pradesh to assist the state government in maintaining law and order, official sources said. The forces have been dispatched after some supporters of Pul resorted to violence.
