Arunachal: Youth beaten to death at an illegal rehab centre in Pasighat, 11 arrested

The deceased youth has been identified as Olip Litin Mukherjee (21).

Reported by Marina Dai | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

Weeks after a youth from Meghalaya was allegedly murdered at a rehab centre in Assam under suspicious circumstances, another youth was allegedly beaten to death at a rehab centre in Arunachal Pradesh’s Pasighat.

The deceased youth has been identified as Olip Litin Mukherjee (21).

He was admitted to Serene Life Rehab in Gumin Nagar in Pasighat, which is allegedly operating without proper permissions from the concerned departments.

The incident came to light after his mother, Mohimang Litin filed an FIR with the Pasighat Police Station on July 20, alleging that her son was beaten to death by the staff of the rehab centre, said Dr. Sachin Kumar Singhal Superintendent of Police, East Sian.

Acting on the complaints, police launched an investigation and found that an altercation broke out between the victim and a few staff of the rehab centre leading to his death. 15 other inmates also suffered injuries in the incident, said the SP.

The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the rehab centre.

Police also recovered a few of the sticks and batons used as weapons of offence from the scene and seized the DVR of 4 CCTVs.

Police apprehended as many as 11 persons in connection with the case and subsequently arrested them.

They were produced before the CJM court in Pasighat and sent to 5-day police custody.

The arrested persons are—Danial Jerang (30), Kanam Dai (26), Anand Moyong (37), Ojing Modi (28), Kalot Tayeng (24), Mibom Borang (24), Tatto Pertin (24), Tator Moyong (32), Otel Talom (24), Oyin Tayeng (24), Kenzing Mize (22).

Meanwhile, DC Office Pasighat has been asked to take appropriate action against such Rehab Centre(s) operating in the area without due permission of the concerned department. 

Further investigation into the incident and detailed recording of statements of injured inmates and alleged accused persons is underway to ascertain more facts and evidence.

Niksamseng Marak, a resident of Tura, Meghalaya was arrested by Assam Police on July 2 and sent to the rehab centre. However, two days later on July 4, Niksamseng’s family received a call from the rehab centre stating that he had died by hanging himself.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has sought the intervention of his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma for an investigation into the death of Marak after family alleged that he was murdered.

COMMENTS