Meghalaya NCP candidate killed in IED blast

Nationalist Congress Party candidate Jonathone N Sangma was killed on Sunday after insurgents attacked his convoy in Meghalaya's East Garo Hills district, officials said.

Two others accompanying the NCP leader also died in the improvised explosive device attack which took place at around 8 pm, police said.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma condoled his death.

"Deeply saddened to hear about the unexpected loss of Jonathone Sangma. My heartfelt condolences to his near and dear ones. The blood of innocent spilled by the enemies of the state will not disturb peace in Meghalaya," he tweeted.

The 43-year-old NCP candidate was returning after campaigning and was on his way to Williamnagar, his assembly constituency, when the convoy came under attack, police said.

Assembly elections for the 60-member House in Meghalaya are slated to be held on February 27.

"We strongly condemn the incident and we stand by Jonathone's family at this moment. These incidents shouldn't take place in a state like Meghalaya," said Vincent Pala, working president of Meghalaya Congress Unit, and Lok Sabha MP from Shillong.

The Garo National Liberation Army, a proscribed militant outfit active in the state's South and East Garo Hills district, was campaigning against Jonathone.

In the 2013 elections also Jonathone had received death threats and was provided extra security based on the threat perception, a police officer said.