Northeast Desk, 17th April: Tensions escalated in Arunachal Pradesh as Gram Panchayat Chairman Sangam Wangsu, also a member of the BJP, was abducted by an armed militant group in the early hours of April 17.
According to authorities, Wangsu, aged 50, was forcibly taken from his residence at gunpoint, sparking concerns over the motive behind the abduction.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of alleged threats issued by the banned militant outfit NSCN-KYA, reportedly coercing voters to support a specific candidate in the upcoming Assembly elections.
Reports emerging from the insurgency-affected district of Longding suggest that voters in the Longding Pumao assembly constituency are being pressured by armed militants linked to NSCN-KYA. Leaflets bearing threats have been distributed in villages within the constituency, and armed militants have been sighted in various locations, including Niuasa, Longkhaw, Mintong, and Longphong.
These militants, reportedly affiliated with NSCN-KYA, are allegedly using intimidation tactics, including brandishing firearms, to coerce residents into supporting Thangwang Wangham, the candidate for the National People’s Party (NPP).
Authorities are actively investigating these incidents as tensions continue to mount ahead of the upcoming elections.
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