A car was set ablaze outside the Mob-II, Niti Vihar, Itanagar, residence of Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal East and state BJP president, Tapir Gao, at 6am on Friday.
The CCTV footage showed several men disembarking from a car (Wagon-R with registration number AS01V 2568). They were accompanied by some others who arrived in a red car. They set fire to a vehicle parked outside the MP’s house and fled. Just before setting the car ablaze, one of the men with a dao (sickle) beheaded a dog threw the head through the Gao’s residential gate. The reason behind the arson has not been ascertained, but sources said it could be in connection with the recent electioneering.
The Itanagar-Naharlagun police are investigating the matter, according to superintendent of police, Capital, Tumme Amo. Sources said three of the men fled to Assam after the incident. When contacted, Amo said the miscreants fled after committing the arson but are expected to be arrested soon. A case has been registered vide Itanagar PS case No. 133/2019 under Sections 436/429/34 of the IPC.
Meanwhile, various organisations including Arunachal BJP, have appealed to the police to arrest the culprits at the earliest.
The youth wing of Adi Baane Kebang (the apex and appellate body of Adi community) led by its president Joluk Minung and secretary, information and public relations, Kalen Pertin, submitted a petition to the chief secretary, Satya Gopal, on Friday and appealed for prompt action against the criminals.
The Adi Baane Kebang, Adi Baane Kebang youth wing and other organisations are going to organise a peaceful sit-in at the tennis court, near IG Park, Itanagar, on Saturday to condemn the act of arson.
