Senior police officer to investigate Kalikho Pul's death: CM

Itanagar, Aug 14: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has directed that a senior police officer not below the rank of an IGP will head the investigation into the alleged suicide of former state CM Kalikho Pul.

Khandu said this during a high-level meeting with Chief Secretary Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, DGP S Nithianandam and Principal Secretary (Home) Satya Gopal to review the law and order situation of the state capital yesterday, a communiqué from the Chief Minister's office said today.

Khandu also asked the police to expedite the investigation into Pul's death and complete it within the shortest possible time. However, an IGP was yet to be named to head the investigation.

Pul, a rebel Congress MLA, who had become Chief Minister of the state on February 19 amid political drama that had begun in December last year, ceased to hold the office following a Supreme Court judgement of July 13.

While the apex court order had reinstated Nabam Tuki as Chief Minister, the latter resigned two days later to make way for Pema Khandu to become the new chief minister of the frontier state.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa, who had landed in a controversy following the dismissal of then chief minister Nabam Tuki and installation of Kalikho Pul in his place, has resumed charge as governor of the state yesterday after remaining on leave for over six weeks following serious illness.

As Rajkhowa underwent a major surgery and had to remain on leave, Tripura governor Tathagata Roy was given the additional charge of Arunachal Pradesh for the past five weeks.

Khandu yesterday called on Governor Rajkhowa at Raj Bhawan who expressed hope that the state government under the leadership of Khandu would rise to the expectations of the people.

PTI