Arunachal Pradesh declares 3-day state mourning following Kalikho Pul's demise

Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh government on Tuesday declared a three-day state mourning following the death of former chief minister Kalikho Pul, who would also be accorded a full state funeral.

This was decided at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The Cabinet conveyed its condolences to the family members of Pul.

Talking to reporters, Chief Secretary Shakuntala Doley Gamlin said the body of Pul would be flown to his native village at Hawai in Anjaw district on Wednesday for performing the last rites with full state honours.

"All the official formalities have been completed and the body has been sent for a post mortem. All angles have been minutely observed by the police to ensure that there is no foul play in his death," the Chief Secretary said. Gamlin declined to comment on the alleged suicide note left by Pul.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed shock over the sudden and premature demise of his former colleague Kalikho Pul who breathed his last this morning.

In his condolence message to Pul's wife, Khandu wrote, "It pains my heart to write to you at this moment of extreme grief. The news of the sad demise of Pul has come as a shock to me. Pul was a seasoned and veteran leader who served the state in various capacities."