Itanagar: Hundreds of people, including family members, relatives, youth leaders, students and community representatives, gathered outside the court complex at Yupia on Monday to demand justice for Tarh Kekelele, the 12-year-old Class VII student who died under mysterious circumstances at Don Bosco School, Doimukh.
Kekelele, a hosteller at the school, was found unconscious and severely injured on the school premises at around 5 pm on 23 September. She was first rushed to Doimukh Hospital and later referred to Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) at Naharlagun, where she succumbed to her injuries at around 10 pm the same night. The death triggered widespread shock and anger in Papum Pare district.
Following an FIR lodged by the family at Doimukh Police Station, Papum Pare Police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and arrested eight persons in connection with the case. Those arrested include the school principal, headmaster, a teacher, the hostel warden and the hostel cook. Police said the arrests were made based on preliminary inquiry and statements.
On Monday, after completion of their three-day police custody, all eight accused were produced before the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JFMC) at Yupia. The court remanded them to 14 days of judicial custody and they were lodged at Jully District Jail. It was outside the court premises that the family staged the protest.
The protesting family members raised serious allegations regarding the circumstances of Kekelele’s death. They claimed the minor had sustained multiple injuries and suspected foul play, including physical violence and possible sexual assault. They also pointed out that CCTV cameras covering the hostel premises were allegedly non-functional at the time of the incident, raising questions about supervision and evidence.
“She sustained multiple injuries, and we suspect foul play, including physical violence and possible sexual assault. Further, the CCTV cameras covering the hostel premises were non-functional at the time of the incident. All these circumstances raise serious questions over her death. All those responsible for her death should be strongly punished,” said one of the protesters, speaking on behalf of the family.
The family’s main demand was that no bail should be granted to any of the accused until the investigation is completed and the root cause of death is established. They have sought substantial progress in the investigation by 30 September and demanded that evidence be preserved, witnesses be examined independently, and the post-mortem and forensic reports be made transparent.
Several student organisations, youth groups and civil society organisations from Papum Pare joined the protest. They demanded a fair, impartial and time-bound investigation, and called for accountability of residential schools to ensure safety of students. The protesters said the incident has shaken the faith of parents who send their children to hostels.
Reacting to the protest, Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Taru Gusar assured that the case is being investigated with priority. “We assure everyone that the case will be properly investigated. We have already started the investigation and will try to speed it up,” SP Gusar told this daily. DySP Phassang Simi, who is part of the SIT, said all angles are being probed.
Meanwhile, tension continues to prevail in Doimukh. The family and supporting organisations have warned of intensifying their agitation if the investigation is delayed or diluted. They have also appealed to the state government and the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to intervene and ensure justice for Tarh Kekelele.
