UKHRUL: Family members and relatives of 12-year-old school student Tarh Kekelele staged a protest outside Arunachal Pradesh’s Yupia court on Monday, opposing the granting of bail to eight people arrested in connection with her death and demanding a thorough investigation.
Kekelele, a Class VII student of Don Bosco School, Doimukh, was found unconscious on the school premises on September 23. She was taken to Doimukh Hospital and later referred to the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), where she was declared dead.
Following her death, the family lodged an FIR at Doimukh Police Station, following which eight people, including the school principal, headmaster, a teacher, hostel warden and hostel cook, were arrested. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case.
The accused were produced before the JFMC court on Monday after the completion of their three-day police custody and were remanded to judicial custody.
During the protest, the family and organisations supporting them demanded that the accused not be granted bail while the investigation was still underway. They also called for the state government to intervene and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the student’s death are thoroughly examined.
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The family has raised concerns over injuries and bruises allegedly found on the student’s body and has expressed suspicion of foul play, including possible physical violence and sexual assault. They also pointed to non-functional CCTV cameras covering the hostel premises at the time of the incident.
Several student and civil society organisations joined the protest, calling for a fair and transparent investigation and demanding that those found responsible be held accountable.
The family has sought substantial progress in the investigation by September 30.
Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Taru Gusar said the investigation was ongoing and that efforts were being made to expedite the probe.
