Former Naga Army chief, Gen. (Retd.) Anthony Ningkhan Shimray, has denied allegations linking him to the 2019 killing of Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh. Shimray dismissed the claims as ‘completely baseless and untrue’ after Lt. Gen. A. Raman, the newly appointed Longvibu of the provisional government of NSCN (Eastern Flank), made the allegations during a felicitation programme in Myanmar on July 29, 2026.
Shimray, who is now the coordinator of the Indo-Naga peace talks, clarified that responsibility for Arunachal Pradesh’s affairs was handed over to the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Naga Army only on March 15, 2021, by the Prime Minister’s Office due to administrative exigencies. He emphasized that all political and military affairs relating to Arunachal Pradesh were administered and supervised solely under the directives of the NSCN/GPRN Prime Minister’s Office before that date. Shimray stated that he had no knowledge of the assassination and had not issued any directives or given any orders related to the incident, which took place on May 21, 2019.
He expressed disappointment that the ongoing Indo-Naga political process had been marred by what he described as ‘the lowest form of politics.’ Shimray questioned whether the politics of the Eastern Flank had ‘stooped so low’ as to tarnish an individual’s legacy and position through false allegations and a ‘cheap smear campaign’ aimed at assassinating the character of a veteran national worker. He urged all Naga groups to refrain from internal divisions and false campaigns and instead remain united in Christ with a common vision, striving together for ‘one nation, one people.’
