Itanagar: Angry mobs attacked the house of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and took to the streets of Itanagar torching vehicles on Tuesday, hours after former CM Kalikho Pul was found hanging at his residence.
Some of the protesters pelted stones at Khandu's residence, while others headed towards the official residence of Deputy CM Chowna Mein less than 100 metres away, damaged the outer wall and at least 10 vehicles parked in the premises.
Some of them also tried to burn down a section of Mein's residence which is presently under construction. The official bungalow of Industries Minister Tapang Taloh was also attacked.
Kalikho Pul's body (Picture courtesy: Subhajit Sengupta)
Pul was found dead at his residence in Itanagar in the morning with preliminary reports saying he may have hanged himself to death between 8-9 am.
His close aides said he suffered from depression and was extremely upset over being treated like an "outcast".
Pul had led a group of dissident MLAs from Congress against Nabam Tuki early this year and was sworn in as chief minister a few hours after President's Rule was revoked in the state on February 19. He was CM over four months, before his appointment was struck down by the Supreme Court.
A high-level cabinet meeting was held and police reinforcements, including state police and ITBP, were sent to the high-security VVIP zone where the ministers' residences were located.
Pul's body will be kept at his bungalow for the public to pay respects, official sources said.