Itanagar: Police in Arunachal Pradesh have identified the vehicle allegedly used in the attack on Sikkimese rapper Ugen Namgyal Bhutia, popularly known as UNB, and are working to establish the identities of those involved, a senior police officer said on Wednesday.
Lower Dibang Valley Superintendent of Police Ringu Ngupok said one person suspected of involvement in the assault has also been identified, although his role is yet to be confirmed.
“We have identified one individual whom we suspect, but it needs to be confirmed,” Ngupok said.
UNB and his team were allegedly attacked by a group of eight to 10 men near Tiwari Gaon while travelling towards Roing after performing at a festival in Anini.
The SP said the remote location of the assault and the absence of eyewitnesses have posed challenges to the investigation.
“The place where the assault happened is around 39 km from Roing and is a secluded area with no network connectivity. It has come as a challenge, but the Roing police force is doing its best,” he said.
Police personnel have been deployed at different locations as part of the investigation, while technical analysis is also underway, Ngupok said.
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Rejecting reports that the case was being handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT), the SP said Roing police were conducting a thorough probe.
“There is no question of transferring the case to an SIT at this stage. Roing police is looking into the case thoroughly and we will see the end of the case,” he said.
Police are also probing the motive behind the assault.
Asked whether the attack could be linked to an earlier tussle between UNB and Arunachal Pradesh-based rapper Don Kam, Ngupok said investigators were aware of the professional rivalry and comments surrounding the two artistes on social media.
“We are aware of the professional rivalry between the two rappers and the comments going around on social media. We are investigating the case from that angle too,” the SP said.
Also Read | Sikkim rapper UNB assaulted by group of men in Arunachal Pradesh