How Arunachal police finally got hold of DSP Bomto Kamdak’s killer

Itanagar: Tagyung Yangfo, the man accused of killing deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Bomto Kamdak in 2016, succumbed to his injuries following an encounter with police forces at the Rama Camp area of Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng on Saturday morning.

On Saturday, following inputs received from reliable sources that Yangfo was hiding in the Dirang area of West Kameng district, a special investigating team comprising SP (SIT) Navdeep Singh Brar and inspectors T Bage and Ashok Taying and others raided the Khamkhar Nala area in Dirang around 8.30am, said a press statement released by the Arunachal Police department.

The police said that during the raid Tagyung’s wife was found at the hideout and a .12 bore gun and gun-making material were recovered from the house.

“On further investigation, the accused was found to be located at the Khamkar Nala and when he was asked to surrender he drew his pistol and started firing at the police. One of the bullets hit the BP jacket of the SP (SIT) who was leading the team. Tagyung was then chased down and the police team opened fire in self-defence and to apprehend the accused. During firing, he was injured. He was immediately taken to hospital where he was declared brought dead,” the police said.

Yangfo, alias Jombo Yangfo, was wanted by the police in several cases including the murder of DSP Bomto Kamdak whom he had allegedly shot dead in 2016 near the Wada Camp area of East Kameng district.

The incident had occurred when DSP Kamdak was leading a police team to the area to arrest Yangfo who was an alleged rapist and had escaped from jail.

On seeing the approaching police team, Yangfo and his partners in crime had fired prompting the police to retaliate. The gun battle led to the death of the DSP and a civilian while a woman had sustained bullet injuries.

The Arunachal Pradesh police had later offered a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for sharing information leading to the arrest of Yangfo.

DSP Kamdak was on the other hand posthumously conferred the first ‘Arunachal Ratna’ award for his bravery and sacrifice.

The state government headed by chief minister Pema Khandu had later also adopted a police for all the police personnel irrespective of ranks who sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorists, criminals or underground elements.

As per the policy, they would be awarded an ex gratia payment of Rs 50 lakh and their kin would be given a suitable job in the government.

Interestingly, it was on this day (January 18), nine years ago, in 2011 that DSP Kamdak had joined the police forces.

Meanwhile, an official report from Bomdila DIPRO added that as per the guidelines of NHRC, a magisterial inquiry into the matter has been ordered by the deputy commissioner cum district magistrate.

Also, the Bomdila SP has directed the Bomdila DMO for constitution of a medical board for post-mortem to be fully videographed. Further, directions have also been issued for preservation of the handwork of the accused for forensic examination.

Official reports said that the body of the accused would be handed over to his wife later in the evening on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu took to Twitter to congratulate the police team for its gallant act. “Appreciate gallant efforts of State police in bringing to task Tagyung Yangfo in retaliatory firing by SIT led by SP Dr NS Brar. SIT was trying to nab him in connection to murder of DySP Bomto Kamdak. A remarkable feat by state police under leadership of DGP Shri RP Upadhyaya,” he tweeted.