Life in Prison for the Unleashing of Fear: Senior Insurgent Sentenced for Brutal Abduction and Murder
Tirap District: 37-Year-Old Insurgent Gets Life Imprisonment for Abducting and Murdering Villager Ahead of Polls
A 37-year-old insurgent, identified as Elli Ketok, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Tirap district and sessions court for the abduction and murder of a villager, Jaley Anna, in March 2019, just ahead of the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. The gruesome crime was committed by a group of armed insurgents, who abducted Anna and his friend from Kheti village, and brutally assaulted them with rifle butts, resulting in Anna’s death due to severe injuries.
According to the case details, the FIR was registered at the Khonsa police station under Sections 448, 364, 302, 325, 307, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Initially, the investigation was led by then-sub-inspector (now inspector) Chuman Chena, who was later replaced by then-sub-inspector (now inspector) Nokpam Lowang. Lowang arrested Ketok and submitted the chargesheet, paving the way for the trial.
District and Sessions Court Judge Tageng Padoh pronounced the verdict, sentencing Ketok to life imprisonment under IPC Section 302, with the first 10 years to be served under rigorous imprisonment, and a fine of Rs. 10,000. Additionally, he was sentenced to 10 years each under Sections 364 and 367 IPC with a fine of Rs. 7,000 for each offence, three years under Sections 326 and 450 IPC with a fine of Rs. 5,000, and one year under Section 451 IPC with a fine of Rs. 2,000. The court directed that all fines be deposited with the state government within a month.
It’s worth noting that Ketok was also a key member of the group that ambushed and killed Khonsa West MLA Tirong Aboh and 10 others on May 21, 2019, in Bogapani, Tirap, coinciding with the election results. The suspected NSCN militants behind the attack also killed Seliam Wangsa, a 39-year-old former zilla parishad member at Nginu village in Longding district in the same year. The brutal attacks sent shockwaves across the state and highlighted the ongoing insurgency in the region.
The conviction and sentencing of Ketok are a significant milestone in efforts to bring perpetrators of such heinous crimes to justice. The court’s verdict serves as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to commit similar atrocities, ensuring that justice is served and the victims’ families receive closure. As the state struggles to stem the tide of violence, these convictions can help restore a sense of security and stability in the region.
Original Source: https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2025/03/26/insurgent-sentenced-to-life-for-abduction-murder/
Category : State News
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Publish Date: 2025-03-26 00:48:00
