Political drama of TNL polls ends in tragedy
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, September 18 2013: Tension ran high at Ukhrul district headquarters as tragedy unfolded to the political drama of Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) elections with the recovery of lifeless body of Jonathan Kashung, one of the presidential candidates who was abducted five days ago, from a jungle on the outskirts of Ukhrul on Wednesday.

A team of Police along visited the site located nearby Tolloi-Khaishat road junction, located about 6-km from Ukhrul town, and retrieved the decomposed body of Jonathan Kashung, a hot contender for the office of TNL president, after five days of his reported abduction.

A native of Shingkap village under Phungyar sub-division, 49-year old Jonathan Kashung was reportedly abducted by armed cadres of NSCN(IM) from Ukhrul's Phungreitang area at around 8.30 am on September 13 .

After remaining traceless for four days, his lifeless body was found by family members at about 8 pm last night.

Jonathan Kashung is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters.

Examining the body of Jonathan Kashung, who was found murdered after being abducted

His mortal remains was brought to the TNL office and later taken for autopsy to District Hospital.

The body bore two bullet wounds; while one went from top of the head and exited through the neck, the other hit the chest and passed through the back.

Police said he might have been shot dead on the day of abduction itself.

An FIR was lodged on September 14 in connection with the abduction, but additional section under Indian Penal Code has been inserted on finding his dead body today.

On examining the crime scene, police suspected that Jonathan was probably shot dead somewhere else and the body was brought to the spot later.

Jonathan's wife submitted a memorandum to the NSCN and a copy of the same forwarded to the TNL today in which she demanded the reason behind killing of her husband.

The aggrieved family agreed to the 15-day deadline assurance given to find out the 'reason' for his 'execution' .

Following the assurance, the bereaved family members agreed to accept the dead body.

The mortal remains would be taken to his native village on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a public condolence service for late Jonathan Kashung was held at the packed TNL hall this afternoon.

Apart from members of Tangkhul Naga Long, TKS, TSL and other public, MLA Samuel Risom was also present during the condolence service.

Paul Kashung, the elder brother of the slain man, made an emotional appeal to the public for calm and expressed regret for the unfortunate episode that has prevailed upon the community and overshadowed the TNL general elections slated for today.

TNL President Yarthothing Kashung also spoke at the condolence service and delivered a heartfelt message while sharing deep grief and prayer to the bereaved family.

On September 16, the TNL election Commission office issued orders stating the candidature of Jonathan Kashung, a presidential candidate, has been removed from the contestant's list.

The orders was officially released and pasted on the office notice board citing the action has been prompted after a petition submitted by his proposer and seconder mentioning that the candidate has a serious health problem.

Today's elections to various posts of TNL have been countermanded following the tragic incident.

On the other hand, in the wee hours of Monday last, a bomb exploded in front of TNL's main entrance.

The explosion which took place at around 12.05 am shattered the window panes of its office.

No party has claimed responsibility for blast.

In fact, the Candidature Address Programme for the contending candidates of TNL general elections 2013 was held at Town Hall yesterday.

The day-long programme was organised by its election commission to initiate interactive session with the public.