Itanagar:
The body of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu was today brought by the Army to Itanagar from Keyla, where the helicopter with the Chief Minister and four others on board had crashed last Saturday.
Mr Khandu's body was first brought to Luguthang, then airlifted to Tawang by an Army helicopter, and then brought to Itanagr. It will now be kept at his official bungalow there for the public to pay their last respects.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi are also expected to arrive in Itanagar tomorrow to pay their last respects to the leader
The chopper carrying the Chief Minister and four others on board crashed on Saturday last. After a five day search, their bodies and the wreckage were located at Keyla yesterday.
Keyla is located at an altitude of 4,500 meters, about six-hour trek on foot from Luguthang Gompa in Tawang district.
Those on board with Mr Khandu were: Captain JS Babbar, Captain TS Mamik, the Chief Minister's security officer Yeshi Choddak and Yeshi Lhamu, the sister of Tawang MLA Tsewang Dhondup.
In Delhi today, Home Minister P Chidambaram said, "Arunachal Pradesh Governor JJ Singh has been asked to take necessary consequential steps," an indication that a new Chief Minister will be chosen soon.
The Arunachal government has declared a seven-day state mourning from today. (With PTI Inputs)