Arunachal ex-CM Kalikho Pul commits suicide (Third Lead)

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, unseated on July 13 by a Supreme Court ruling, on Tuesday committed suicide, police said.

Pul, 47, was found hanging from a ceiling fan at his official residence. Incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein confirmed to IANS that Pul had committed suicide.

Although Pema Khandu became the Chief Minister on July 16, Pul was yet to vacate the official residence.

"We have also recovered a suicide note from the room where the former Chief Minister committed suicide. I am not in a position to divulge much at this moment," said a senior police official.

A Congress leader, Pul assumed office on February 19, unseating then Congress Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.

Later, Pul and his supporters joined the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA), a regional outfit.

After the Supreme Court reinstated the Tuki government, Pul and his supporters returned to the Congress and supported Pema Khandu as the Chief Minister.

On behalf of the central government, Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Development for Northeastern Region, expressed shock over Pul's death. "He had a promising career that has been cut short."

Communist leader D. Raja called the suicide "shocking" and said it was for the central government to find out what had happened.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, son of former Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, said: "We are really saddened. He was just 47 years old. We pray for Pul's family."

Pul, who represents Hyuliang constituency in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, had served in various capacities in the Arunachal Pradesh including as the finance minister, power minister and tribal affairs minister.

--IANS

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