IMPHAL, September 18: The proceedings of the Presidential election of the Tangkhul Naga Long took a violent twist today with one of the presidential candidates found dead this early morning at Ukhrul in a partly decomposed state with two bullet injuries.
Sources have also claimed that a low intensity bomb exploded near Tangkhul Naga Long, TNL office in Ukhrul on September 16 midnight.
The dead body of 50 year old Janathan Kashing of Singkap Village under Punyar Sub Division, Ukhrul district was found at Tolen village by locals around 6am, informed a local source.
Police collected the dead body soon after.
A reliable source has said that the TNL election which was supposed to be conducted today has been postponed indefinitely and a 15 day deadline set for all those involved to clarify.
Jonathan Kashing was abducted from the Ukhrul Zonal Education office, Phungreitang at around 9:30 am on September 13 by armed militants suspected to be cadres of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Issak- Muivah) and had gone missing ever since.
A source informed that after post mortem was conducted at the Ukhrul District Hospital, the dead body was handed over to the family today.
It may be mentioned that the various organisations of Ukhrul district comprising of Tangkhul Naga Long, Tangkhul Shanao Long, and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long had appealed for the safe release of Jonathan Kashing after his abduction in broad day light.
The organizations and other zonal organizations had also staged a joint sitting on September 15 and passed a resolution seeking the safe release of the abducted TNL Presidential candidate.
It may also be mentioned that Jonathan Keishing is one of the four candidates for the posts of TNL president.
The Newmai News Network had also reported that a low intensity bomb exploded near Tangkhul Naga Long, TNL office in Ukhrul on September 16-17 midnight though no one was hurt in the blast.
Sources said the blast occurred at around 12:10 am but the impact of the blast failed to damage any property, the NNN had said.
Meanwhile, the United Naga Council and the Naga Women Union have condemned the abduction and subsequent killing of (L) K Jonathan by unidentified persons.
The Naga people have always stood against the use of violence by any group particularly upon members of the civil society whatever may be the charges alleged and levelled, a joint statement of the two bodies said. It further condemned the bomb attack on the office of the TNL on the night of Sept 16, 2013.
NNN adds: A condolence program of Jonathan Kashung was organised in Ukhrul town participated by Tangkhul Naga Long, TKS, TSL and public leaders including MLA Samuel Risom. His mortal remains will be taken to his native village Singkap in Phungyar subdivision tomorrow.
A case regarding the incident has been registered with the Ukhrul District Police Station and started investigation.