Suspected militants detonated an improvised explosive device killing a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate for the February 27 elections in the East Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. Unconfirmed reports said two of his bodyguards were also killed.
The IED attack on Jonathone N. Sangma, the NCP candidate for the Williamnagar seat, took place at Samanda around 7.50 p.m. when he was returning from campaigning at Sobokgre and Nabokgre villages.
The police neither confirmed nor denied the candidate’s death. “There was a blast but we are yet to get the details about casualty,” said DGP S.B. Singh.
But by 10.30 p.m., Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma tweeted: “Deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected loss of Jonathone N Sangma. My heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones. The blood of innocents spilled by the enemies of the State will not disturb peace in Meghalaya.”
Another tweet by him later said: “This desperate act will not be tolerated. The perpetrators of the crime will be brought to book.”
Jonathone Sangma was one of nine candidates contesting the Williamnagar seat. His rivals include the State’s Social Welfare Minister Deborah C Marak of Congress, who is seeking re-election, and Marcuise N. Marak of National People’s Party.
Polling in Tripura’s Charilam assembly seat had to be countermanded after the death of Ramendra Narayan Debbarma, the CPI(M) candidate. Polling in that seat has been rescheduled on March 12.
Election for the 60 assembly seats in Meghalaya is scheduled on February 27.
