Kalikho Pul's body taken to native village

ITANAGAR: The mortal remains of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul were taken today to his native village Hawai in remote Anjaw district bordering China for the last rites.

BJP MLA from Tezu Mahesh Chai accompanied the body of Pul along with his relatives in a helicopter which took off at 7:30 AM for Hayulian as hundreds of supporters of the leader gave a tearful adieu to him.

The state government has declared a three-day state mourning and a holiday tomorrow when the last rites of Pul would be performed with full state honours at Hayuliang, the constituency he represents.

A pall of gloom descended in the state capital since Tuesday morning after the news of Pul's death.

Lok Sabha MP Ninong Ering, AICC Secretary Jay Kumar along with senior party leaders, MLAs and admirers of Pul gathered at the Raj Bhavan helipad here in the morning from where Pul's mortal remains were flown to his native village.

Pul allegedly committed suicide at the chief minister's official residence here on Tuesday, weeks after he was ordered by the Supreme Court to step down after a brief stint,sparking violent protests by his supporters who torched a building and damaged cars.

He is survived by three wives and seven children.

The state government had requisitioned two sorties of Skyone helicopter to carry Pul's body and his relatives to Hayuliang.