Arunachal assembly pays tribute to Kalikho Pul

Itanagar, Sep 7 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh assembly todaypaid tribute to former chief minister Kalikho Pul who wasfound hanging at his official residence on August 9. Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok and Chief Minister PemaKhandu led the house in paying tributes to Pul during theinaugural day of the two-day special assembly session convenedto ratify the GST Bill. Initiating the obituary reference to Pul, Thongdokdescribed him as a statesman and said in his death the statehad lost a great personality. Khandu termed Pul’s death as ‘shocking’ and said thestate government had already constituted a committee headed byan IGP rank officer to investigate it. "As soon as the committee submits the report, thematter will be discussed with all the members of the house,"he said. Responding to criticism from opposition BJP memberswho alleged political turmoil as the reason behind Pul’ssuicide, Khandu said after the Supreme Court verdict onArunachal government, all Congress members supported hisleadership, including the former chief minister. "Pul had helped my father Dorjee Khandu during histenure as chief minister in taking important decisions. Duringthe (November) political development I was with him and even Iresigned from the ministry to support him," Khandu added. Appreciating Pul’s efforts in the development of Anjawdistrict, which he represented, Khandu appealed to the peopleto support the family members of the departed leader in theby-election to the constituency. Participating in the discussion, Deputy Chief MinisterChowna Mein termed Pul as a good parliamentarian and thetransition of Anjaw district started in 1995 when Pul becameits MLA for the first time. "Today the district could be replicated by others as amodel district in terms of best road communication andinfrastructure." "His death has created a void in the state’s politicalarena," Mein added. Obituary reference was also made of Tumpak Ete whodied in his Aalo residence on August 13. The speaker called him a popular writer and composerbesides an able administrator, while the chief minister saidhe always worked for the state’s socio-economic development. Mien said Ete as a social activist who wasinstrumental in documentation of the indigenous faith andculture. The house observed two-minutes silence as mark ofrespect before it was adjourned for the day. PTI UPL KKMNGPD