NCP Candidate Killed in Militant Attack Ahead of Meghalaya Polls

NCP candidate from Williamnagar Jonathone Sangma was killed in a militant attack, CM Mukul Sangma said.

Sangma was the NCP candidate from the Williamnagar constituency

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@NANDANPRITAM)

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate Jonathone N Sangma was killed on Sunday night after militants attacked his convoy in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district, officials said on 18 February.

Two others accompanying the NCP leader also died in the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attack which took place at around 8 pm, police said.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma condoled his death.

The 43-year-old NCP candidate was returning after campaigning and was on his way to Williamnagar, his Assembly constituency, when the convoy came under attack, police said.

Assembly elections for the 60-member House in Meghalaya are slated to be held on 27 February.

“We strongly condemn the incident and we stand by Jonathone’s family at this moment. These incidents shouldn’t take place in a state like Meghalaya,” 

Vincent Pala, Working President, Meghalaya Congress Unit and Lok Sabha MP from Shillong

The Garo National Liberation Army, a proscribed militant outfit active in the state's South and East Garo Hills district, was campaigning against Jonathone, PTI reported.

In the 2013 elections also Jonathone had received death threats and was provided extra security based on the threat perception, a police officer said.

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