Police in Arunachal Pradesh's East Siang district have arrested three staff members in connection with the death of a 12-year-old cadet at Sainik School East Siang, following allegations of severe bullying and torture by senior students.
The arrests were made on November 8 after a sustained investigation into the death of Tadu Haro, a Class 7 student who was found dead at the school in Niglok on November 1. The case, registered at Ruksin Police Station under Sections 108/106(1)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), took a dramatic turn after fresh allegations emerged from the victim's family.
Those arrested include Devendra Singh (42), house master of Subansiri House (Junior Cadet Wing), from Karhna village in Mau district, Uttar Pradesh; Kangge Darin (31), house master of Subansiri House (Senior Cadet Wing), from Yagrung village in East Siang; and Amar Singh Thakur (51), hostel superintendent at Sainik School East Siang, from Chrohal village in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh.
The developments come amid mounting public pressure, with the Women Welfare Organisation, community-based groups, and students from multiple schools holding a candlelight march in Seppa on Monday evening. The procession, which began at Circuit House and ended at General Ground in East Kameng district, drew large participation as people paid tribute to the deceased student and demanded accountability.
The case gained traction after Miss Arunachal 2024, Tadu Lunia, the victim's sister, posted a video on Instagram on November 5 alleging that her brother had been subjected to severe bullying hours before his death. The family was initially informed that the boy had died by suicide, but dormitory mates later described events suggesting he may have been driven to take his own life.
Also read: Arunachal Sainik School student found dead, kin alleges bullying
According to Lunia, cadets informed the family that on the night of October 31, a group of eight Class 10 students and three from Class 8 allegedly entered the Class 7 dormitory after 11 pm when no supervising staff were present. The seniors reportedly forced juniors to cover their heads with blankets before taking her brother to the Class 10 dormitory.
"No one knows what happened behind that closed door," Lunia said, adding that eyewitnesses claimed her brother was "harassed mentally and physically throughout the night." She alleged that he had been branded a "thief" over a missing book and threatened with public humiliation during school assembly.
Lunia also claimed CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed her brother pacing anxiously around 5:45 am before entering a classroom, where he appeared to write a final note. "His last words were, 'Seniors tortured me a lot, and I don't know what I will do now,'" she said.
The Apatani Youth Association submitted a letter on November 4 to the Chief Minister, Governor, Chief Secretary, and Deputy Commissioner of East Siang district, seeking urgent intervention. It called for a thorough investigation and the suspension or rustication of all students involved, in line with school discipline rules.
The organisation also demanded immediate suspension of teaching staff and all personnel on duty at the time, pending enquiry, along with temporary closure of the school until the case is fully investigated. It warned that any negligence or misconduct found during the probe should lead to appropriate legal action.
Police confirmed that eight students have been detained and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in Pasighat. The case, originally registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, was reclassified after the victim's father lodged an additional FIR on November 3 alleging ragging by senior students.
According to an official press release, "the arrests were made following sustained investigation, recording of witness statements, and analysis of the sequence of events leading to the incident."
Further investigation is underway.
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