ITANAGAR: The NSCN (K-YA), a proscribed insurgent group, has admitted to have ordered the assassination of former MLA Yumsen Matey, who was killed on December 16 in Raho village, Lazu circle of Tirap district.
In a statement released on December 27, the insurgent group had asserted that Matey had been “awarded capital punishment for his active involvement in all sorts of anti-NSCN activities”.
The group had accused Matey of masterminding anti-NSCN propagandas and slogans in Tirap district, branding his actions as treason against the Naga national struggle.
Despite the allegations from different quarters, the NSCN (K-YA) insisted that Matey’s murder had no connection to the upcoming assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh.
This assertion contradicts the suspicions raised by state security agencies, who believe the outfit took responsibility due to limited options.
Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is yet to respond to the state government’s request for an investigation into Matey’s killing.
The state government, expressing urgency, had officially transferred the case to NIA on December 22.
Earlier, Matey’s assassination had sparked protests in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts of the state.
The Tirap Changlang Longding Peoples Forum (TCLPF) and All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) had organised protest rallies joined by various women’s bodies, student organisations, trade unions, community groups, and Panchayati Raj Institution members in response to the former MLA’s tragic death.
In 2009, Matey had secured the Congress MLA seat representing the 56th Khonsa West Assembly Constituency.
Serving in various capacities during his tenure, he assumed the role of Parliamentary Secretary, overseeing departments such as Women and Social Welfare, Social Justice, and Tribal Affairs.
Later, in 2015, Matey transitioned to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Earlier this year, he had publicly expressed his intent to participate in the upcoming 2024 assembly elections.
