Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul was found dead on Tuesday. Pul allegedly hanged himself on Tuesday morning at his residence in Itanagar. CNN-News 18 reported that he has been suffering from depression. Friends and colleagues remember him as a hardworking man.
Police said that he committed suicide. One of his three wives found him hanging this morning.He is survived by three wives and four children.
#BREAKING | Ex-Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul found dead. Pul allegedly hanged himself this morning at his residence pic.twitter.com/i9CTI3au41
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 9, 2016
#UPDATE | Ex-Arunachal CM Kalikho Pul found dead. He reportedly had been suffering from depression, reports @SubhajitSG
— News18 (@CNNnews18) August 9, 2016
Former Arunachal Pradesh CM Kalikho Pul passes away in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. pic.twitter.com/3rmRuo2KA3
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2016
“We have also recovered a suicide note from the room where the former chief minister committed suicide. However, I am not in a position to divulge much at this moment,” said a senior police official, according to the IANS. However, as per ANI reports, the Home Ministry has confirmed that there was no suicide note.
#FLASH MHA Sources confirm no suicide note found. Reason could be depression #KalikhoPul
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2016
Condolence messages poured in from all quarters with the Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi expressing shock over the death of the rebel Congress leader.
Shocked and deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Kalikho Pulji. My heart goes out to his family & loved ones
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 9, 2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolence message to Pul’s family and said he will be remembered for his work in Arunachal Pradesh.
My thoughts are with the family & supporters of Kalikho Pul on his sad demise. His service to Arunachal Pradesh will be remembered: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 9, 2016
Former chief minister Nabam Tuki condoled Pul’s death and said that it is sad and unfortunate and a loss for the entire state.
It is sad & really unfortunate that young leader Kalikho Pul is no more with us: Ex Arunachal Pradesh CM Nabam Tuki
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2016
May God give strength to his family; a loss for entire Arunachal Pradesh. Cong family is with his family in this moment of grief: Nabam Tuki
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2016
President Pranab Mukherjee and Union Minister of State (Ind Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region Jitendra Singh too condoled Pul’s death.
Shocked to hear of untimely demise of promising young leader Kalikho Pul whose contributions shall always be remembered #PresidentMukherjee
— President Mukherjee (@POI13) August 9, 2016
Saddened to hear of untimely demise of former Arunachal CM #KalikhoPul. Promising life cut short. @MDoNER_India https://t.co/HzrPAeMYLh
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) August 9, 2016
Pul briefly became the ninth chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh after he upstaged the then Chief Minister Nabam Tuki in February and formed the government with support from the rebel legislators of the Congress as well as the BJP.
Governor Tathagata Roy reinstated Tuki as the chief minister following the Supreme Court’s verdict in July, and asked him to prove his government’s majority in the Assembly. Later, Tuki resigned as Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and Pema Khandu became the chief minister of the state after winning the floor test in the assembly with votes from 44 Congress legislators and two Independents.
Meanwhile, the situation remained tense in Itanagar after supporters of Kalikho Pul symbolically burned a coffin.
Situation tensed in Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh) after supporters of Kalikho Pul symbolically burned a coffin. pic.twitter.com/rprp3LOdom
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2016