“We still have faith, but…”: Tadu Haro’s sister leads plea for swift justice at Itanagar candlelight march

A large crowd gathered for a peaceful candlelight march in Itanagar on November 16, calling for urgent action in the case of 12-year-old cadet Tadu Haro, who died earlier this month while studying at Sainik School Niglok, Pasighat. 

 

Demonstrators moved from Akash Deep to the Tennis Court of Indira Gandhi Park carrying placards reading “Justice delayed is justice denied” and “Say no to ragging”.

 

The event, organised by the All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA), drew students, community members and representatives of various unions.

 

Haro’s sister, Tadu Lunia, addressed the crowd, urging the state government to accelerate the investigation. Leaders of the Apatani Students’ Union also delivered appeals for accountability and safer school environments.

 

The family reiterated its demand for a transparent and time-bound probe, stressing that delays would only deepen public mistrust.

 

Speaking to the media, Lunia expressed deep resentment while speaking to the media over the granting of bail to eight students of the school.

 

“Courts are the temples of justice, but we—the family—are losing hope of getting justice through this kind of process,” she said. “Through reliable sources, we have heard that one of the accused juvenile boys is the son of a reputed judge. Don’t take our silence for granted. We still have faith in the judiciary, but such a lackadaisical attitude will not be tolerated.”

 

She further recalled that during the first hearing on 10 November, she had met the IPS officer heading the Special Investigation Team (SIT). “I was given assurance that we would get justice, but all of it seems to have gone in vain,” she added.

 

Lunia also stated that the school administration had initially assured the family that the accused students would be expelled. “However, we later came to know that they are still residing in the school hostel premises. The Vice-Principal claimed that this was as per court orders,” she said.

 

Protesters at the march said they would continue to press for accountability until clear findings and decisive action are made public.