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Itanagar suicide case: Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Neelam Nega said that Potom, posted as Special Secretary (PWD) in Delhi Government, has been arrested.
Itanagar suicide case: Arunachal Pradesh Police on Monday morning arrested former Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) Talo Pottom in a sensational double suicide case linked to allegations of sexual exploitation, coercion and corruption. Papum Pare Superintendent of Police Neelam Nega said that Potom, posted as Special Secretary (PWD) in Delhi Government, surrendered at Nirjuli police station at around 7.30 am. After this he was arrested. There was no trace of him since the matter came to light on Thursday, after which the police had issued a lookout notice against him. Pottom was wanted in a case registered under several sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS) 2023, including sections related to abetment of suicide and criminal misconduct. The case pertains to the death of Gomchu Yekar, a young multi-tasking staff (MTS), who committed suicide in his rented apartment in Lekhi village of Nirjuli on October 23.
Two officers accused of harassment
A handwritten note found at the scene alleges harassment and coercion by two senior officials, Pottom and Rural Works Department (RWD) executive engineer Likwang Lowang. Police said Lowang also committed suicide the same day at his residence in Longding district. The police had initially registered a case of unnatural death under section 194 of the Indian Civil Security Code (BNSS) at the Nirjuli police station, but the family later claimed that several suicide notes were recovered in which Yekar had made serious allegations against the two officers. In the suicide note, Yekar alleged that she was sexually abused and harassed for a long period. Claimed that prolonged insults, coercion and threats forced her to take her life. The suicide note also mentions intimate relationships, manipulation, financial promises and later threats.
Young man held Potom responsible for death
It is said in the suicide note that he had HIV. Yekar accused an officer of blackmailing him. Yekar claimed that he was promised Rs 1 crore as financial assistance, but it was not given. Yekar wrote that if I die, it will be because of Potom. Please give me justice. Yekar’s father has filed a complaint at Nirjuli police station, demanding strict criminal action against the two officers for abetment of suicide, sexual exploitation, mental harassment, criminal intimidation, corruption and endangering life. The Indian Justice Code (BNS) 2023, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017 have been included in the FIR. It demands that suicide notes be treated as dying declarations and preserved as primary evidence.
Family members demanded fair investigation
The FIR further alleges that Yekar was forced to engage in illegal activities, repeatedly humiliated and later abandoned. Yekar was appointed on a temporary basis by the then DC Pottom to assist in enforcing the liquor and tobacco free order in Indira Gandhi Park. Police records show that Yekar later misused his position to appear legitimate by conducting unauthorized raids, attacking civilians, collecting illegal fines and extorting money from pubs, bars and liquor shops, using ‘Magistrate on Duty’ nameplates and a rented car with forged seals. Citing the powerful positions of the accused, the family has demanded a fair, thorough and independent investigation including the involvement of central agencies. Yekar, originally from Daporijo in Upper Subansiri district, was earlier arrested for extortion of Rs 7 lakh. Police said that we are waiting for the post mortem report of Lowang. He said that Pottom’s HIV status will also be confirmed during the investigation.
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