Meghalaya NCP candidate killed in ‘militant attack’

GUWAHATI: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate from Williamnagar seat in East Garo Hills district of Meghalaya, Jonathone Nengminza Sangma, and two of his security guards were reportedly killed in a militant attack on Sunday evening.

Reports said the incident took place around 7:50pm at Samanda, a remote location nearly 245km from state capital Shillong, when the candidate was returning to Williamnagar from poll campaigning. “We have reports of an IED blast, which claimed some lives. The details are not available as the police team is yet to reach the spot and confirm,” Meghalaya police DGP SB Singh said at 10:00pm.

The 43-year-old had contested from the same seat in 2013 as an Independent candidate. This time, there are eight other candidates from the seat including education minister Deborah C Marak, who is contesting on a Congress ticket. Meghalaya goes to polls on February 27.

Locals say the Garo National Liberation Army, a rebel outfit fighting for a sovereign Garoland, had put up posters in Williamnagar threatening voters with dire consequences if they vote Sangma. “We have reports there were seven people in the vehicle when the incident happened. Since there is no mobile network in the area, we are not sure about the exact details,” said Meghalaya chief electoral officer FR Kharkongor.