Arunachal: Seven arrested in Seppa revenge murder mystery

Seven persons, including two women, have been arrested in connection with Seppa Police Station.

The arrests were made from Naharlagun in Capital Complex, Seppa in East Kameng District and Hyderabad in Telangana.

On the morning of October 30, 2023, at around 5:30 AM, a telephonic report was received from the public regarding an unknown dead body beside the road at Forest Colony, Type-III Seppa. 

Subsequently, SI(P) Dogin Tamin visited the scene upon receiving the information. Initially, the dead body remained unidentified, and no complaint was filed at the police station. A suo moto case was registered under SPA/PS/Case No.106/23 U/S 302/201 IPC.

The deceased was later identified as Lt. Deva Taku, son of Lt. Lata Taku from Kakukao Village, Seppa, by his mother and younger brother. It was revealed that the deceased had been released from jail a month ago after being discharged from a murder charge. Lt. Deva Taku had accidentally caused fatal injuries to Lt. Tokpar Tana, son of Taje Tana from Palin village, during a boxing class at Pakke Kessang on 22/06/23. 

Also Read: Arunachal: US ambassador Eric Garcetti inaugurates 'Hump World War II' museum in Pasighat

A case was registered at Pakke Kessang PS (Case No. 05/23 U/S 302 IPC), and the deceased was recently discharged from the case and released from jail.

SP East Kameng Kamdam Sikom, APPS, promptly formed a special investigation team (SIT) comprising DySP(HQ) Matin Ratan, Insp Sochi Don OC PS Seppa, SI (P) D Taching, SI(P) R Richo, and SI (P) D Tamin. The team conducted a technical analysis of available CCTV footage and the deceased's mobile phone. This led to the discovery of Maya Sangchoju, the wife of Janu alias Atam Tana of Palin village, Pakke Kesang District, who is the uncle of Lt. Tokpar Tana.

Maya Sangchoju was observed walking with the deceased in CCTV footage during the incident. Further analysis revealed that Maya, the deceased, and two accused persons, Janu Tana and Byate Tana, were at the same location (PO) during the commission of the offence. Maya Sangchoju was in constant contact with her husband over the phone while being with the deceased. Assuming the incident was a case of revenge killing, the SIT initiated a rigorous investigation.

Further investigation unveiled the involvement of other family members of Lt. Tokpar Tana, namely Byate Tana, Taje Tana (father), and Yangu Tana (mother), in hatching a conspiracy to kill Lt. Deva Taku.

Janu Tana, Byate Tana, and Taje Tana left Palin village suspiciously soon after the incident, seeking shelter in the house of Tajik Nabam at Naharlagun, who is their brother-in-law. On November 1, 2023, a police team led by Insp. S.Don, along with SI(P) D. Taching, L/Ct D. Perying, Ct. S. Yangfo, and Ct. S. Taniang, went to Naharlagun. However, Tajik Nabam, upon seeing the police team, informed Janu Tana, Byate Tana, Taje Tana, and Maya Sangchoju to escape. After 12 days, on the second attempt, Byate Tana, Taje Tana, and Tajik Nabam were arrested from Naharlagun on November 13, 2023.

During the interrogation of the three arrested individuals, it was discovered that Janu alias Atam Tana and his wife Maya Sangchoju had left for Delhi after staying at Jamesh Tana’s house in Doimukh for 5 days. Subsequent investigation revealed that the duo was in Hyderabad. Acting on this information, the East Kameng Police arrested both of them on November 25, 2023. 

Furthermore, Janu alias Atam, revealed that he utilized his wife and waited for almost two months in Seppa to seek revenge for his deceased brother.

SP Sikom informed that all seven arrested accused persons have admitted their guilt and the weapon of offence has been recovered in the presence of the Magistrate along with other relevant materials.