Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government has taken a significant step in the investigation of the murder of former MLA Yumsem Matey. The decision to transfer the case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was confirmed by a home department official, deputy home secretary Likha Sampu.
This move comes in response to a request from the police department, reflecting the gravity of the incident. Matey was tragically shot dead by unidentified assailants at the Lazu circle of Tirap district, near the Indo-Myanmar border, on December 15.
The circumstances surrounding Matey’s murder are deeply disturbing. The former Congress legislator, accompanied by three followers, had visited Lazu for personal reasons. Shockingly, someone lured him towards a jungle under false pretences and brutally killed him on the spot.
Yumsem Matey had a political journey marked by affiliations with different parties. He made his debut as an MLA on a Congress ticket in 2009 and later joined the BJP in 2015 after an unsuccessful bid in the 2014 elections. His murder has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Arunachal Pradesh.
The decision to transfer the case to the NIA underscores the need for a thorough and impartial investigation into this heinous crime. The NIA, known for handling complex cases with national implications, is expected to bring its expertise to unravel the mystery surrounding Matey’s murder.
A concerning aspect highlighted by official data is the insurgency-related fatalities in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in the Tirap-Changlang-Longding (TCL) region. Out of the 239 reported cases since March 2000, a staggering 183 have occurred in this region. This statistic underscores the challenges faced by the state in maintaining law and order, especially in areas prone to insurgency.
The involvement of the NIA in this case reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring justice and bringing those responsible to account. It also sends a strong message about the seriousness with which such incidents are treated at the national level.
The decision to transfer the murder case of Yumsem Matey to the NIA marks a significant development in the pursuit of justice. The NIA’s involvement is expected to bring a new dimension to the investigation, shedding light on the circumstances leading to this tragic incident and addressing the broader concerns related to insurgency in Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has organised a huge protest rally against the brutal killing of the former legislator on 22nd December in Itanagar. The student body has said that the killing of former MLA Yumsen Matey is proof of the fact that insurgents are running anti social activities in the Tirap-Changlang-Longding region of the state.
