Arunachal: Family of suspended IAS officer Talo Potom urges public to stop media trial, seeks justice through court

The family of suspended IAS officer Talo Potom has urged the public and media to refrain from spreading defamatory remarks or conducting a media trial in connection with the death of social worker Gomchu Yekar, emphasizing that justice must prevail through the court of law.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club in Itanagar, Talo Potom’s brother Toko Puna, accompanied by other family members, expressed deep sorrow over Yekar’s demise and clarified that they fully respect the ongoing judicial process.

“We, as family members, will abide by the law and accept whatever verdict the court delivers. We sincerely urge everyone to stop defaming our family on social media,” said Puna. “We had also advised our elder brother to surrender on the very first day,” he added.

Puna expressed anguish over the slogans such as “Hang Potom” and “He is a rapist” that were raised outside the Yupia Sessions Court during recent hearings, calling them deeply distressing for the family.

“Justice should be the primary goal. We also sympathize with the family of late Gomchu Yekar. If our brother is found guilty, he must be punished as per the law,” Puna stated firmly.

The family also condemned the acts of vandalism allegedly committed by some social activists during the court hearing, including the destruction of court gates and property, describing such behavior as “unjustified and hurtful.”

Addressing allegations circulating online, Puna said that certain individuals were attempting to justify their actions by citing past official decisions made by Potom during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR).

“Our brother carried out several eviction drives against illegal constructions purely for developmental purposes, such as the four-lane highway project. He never acted for personal gain,” Puna explained.

He further voiced concern over Potom’s safety in jail, claiming that some individuals allegedly harbour grudges against him for his previous administrative actions.

Clarifying that the controversy should not be viewed through a communal lens, Puna said,

“This is not a Tagin or Nyishi issue. Crime has no tribe. We request everyone to see this matter as a legal one, not a communal conflict.”

Reiterating the family’s faith in the judiciary, Puna concluded by saying, “We will continue to cooperate with the police and the administration. But if the court eventually gives a clean chit to our brother, how will his tarnished image be restored?”