Itanagar, Nov 29 (UNI): The East Kameng Police in Arunachal Pradesh ‘solved’ the mystery behind the blind murder case that took place at Seppa last month.
Seven accused persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged revenge murder case, East Kameng Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikom said on Wednesday.
The SP said that on October 30 at around 5.30 am, a telephonic report was received from the public regarding an unknown dead body lying beside the road at Forest Colony, Type-III Seppa.
Subsequently, SI(P) Dogin Tamin visited the scene. Initially, the body remained unidentified, and no complaint was filed. A suo moto case (No.106/23) under Section 302/201 IPC was registered at Seppa Police Station.
The deceased was later identified as Deva Taku, son of the late 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, Sikom said.
Deva Taku had accidentally caused fatal injuries to the late Tokpar Tana, son of Taje Tana from Palin village, during a boxing class at Pakke Kessang on June 22, 2023. A case was registered at Pakke Kessang PS, and the deceased was recently discharged from the case.
The SP promptly formed a special investigation team (SIT) comprising DySP (HQ) Matin Ratan, Inspector Sochi Don, OC Seppa PS, 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 Kessang district, who is the uncle of the late Tokpar Tana.
Maya Sangchoju was seen 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 (place of occurrence) 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 revealed the involvement of other family members of Tokpar Tana, namely Byate Tana, Taje Tana (father), and Yangu Tana (mother), in hatching a conspiracy to kill Deva Taku.
Janu Tana, Byate Tana, and Taje Tana left Palin village suspiciously soon after the incident, seeking shelter in the house of one Tajik Nabam at Naharlagun, who is their brother-in-law. On November 1, a police team led by Inspector S Don 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.
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 EK Police arrested both of them on November 25.
Further, Janu alias Atam revealed that he utilized his wife and waited for almost two months in Seppa to seek revenge for his deceased brother.
The SP informed that all seven arrested accused persons have admitted their guilt, and the weapon of offence, a local dao (machete), has been recovered in the presence of the magistrate along with other relevant materials.
Further investigation is on, he said, adding that more arrests are likely to be made in the case.
