SHILLONG, FEB 19: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today demanded probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the killing of its candidate from Williamnagar constituency Jonathone N Sangma.

“We demand that investigation into the incident be handed over to the NIA,” NCP state working president Vijay Raj told reporters after submitting a complaint to the chief electoral officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor here Monday.

He informed that Late Jonathone was also targeted in the year 2013 when he stood as an independent candidate and he had lodged an FIR and the case is still pending.

Just few weeks back, banners were hung in his constituency stating not to vote for him and the same was reported to the police and only two bodyguards were provided to him which was inadequate, Raj said.

The NCP has also blamed the failure of the state machinery to protect the lives of innocent people including the candidate.

Asked, the NCP working president said that the incident was a clear case of poll violence and even alleged it to be a political killing.

“He (Jonathone) was a winning candidate and his opponent thought that this is the only way because someone has to gain from it politically,” he said.

He claimed that deceased candidate when he applied for ticket, had also submitted along with a list of 10,000 to 11,000 people, who have pledged to vote for him in the coming election.

Jonathone N Sangma, candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from Williamnagar was one among the four including a former GNLA leader killed in an IED ambushed in a remote village across the Simsang River on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, the party has also sought adequate protection for all its candidates. The NCP is fielding 21 candidates for the February 27-Assembly polls.