East Kameng Revenge Killing: In a chilling reminder of how traditional disputes can spiral into tragic acts of violence, the East Kameng revenge killing case in Arunachal Pradesh has stirred national concern. The East Kameng district police made a significant breakthrough by arresting six individuals involved in a brutal retaliatory murder rooted in a long-standing conflict over the ownership of a mithun—a culturally revered semi-domesticated bovine species in the tribal communities of Northeast India.
The case has not only drawn attention due to its gruesome nature but also because it exemplifies the intersection of indigenous customs, emotional responses, and the formal legal system. It sheds light on the pressing need for legal awareness, conflict mediation, and the reinforcement of the rule of law in remote tribal areas of the Northeast.
East Kameng Revenge Killing: Cultural Significance of the Mithun
The mithun (Bos frontalis), often referred to as the “ship of the hills,” is not just an animal in Arunachal Pradesh; it is a cultural emblem. Among tribes like the Nyishi, Galo, Apatani, and Tagin, the mithun represents prosperity, social status, and spiritual blessings. It is central to several festivals and ceremonies, including the Galo tribe’s Mopin festival and the Nyishi’s Nyokum Yullo.
Ownership of mithuns is tied closely with honor and legacy in tribal communities. Traditionally, mithuns are exchanged during marriages, used for community feasts, and even as penance during social reconciliation. Consequently, any dispute over its ownership can escalate into personal and clan-wide tensions—often with irreversible consequences.
Origins of the Dispute
The roots of the East Kameng revenge killing case trace back to early December 2024, when a dispute over mithun ownership triggered a violent altercation between two villagers in the remote village of Kapu Dada in East Kameng.
Takom Dada allegedly assaulted Longya Lamgu with a machete (locally known as dao), causing severe injuries that eventually proved fatal. Although Dada was arrested shortly after the incident and released on bail, his act created a wave of anger and resentment within the Lamgu clan, setting the stage for a retaliatory plan that would unfold tragically weeks later.
The Gruesome Murder
On December 15, 2024, Takom Dada left his home to tend to his agricultural field but never returned. Villagers soon raised the alarm, and a search was launched. The following day, Dada’s lifeless, mutilated body was found near the banks of the Pachi River. Naked and bearing multiple deep wounds on the head, neck, and back—inflicted by a dao—the body showed signs of deliberate and calculated violence.
What began as a cultural dispute had now escalated into a cold-blooded murder. The killing sent shockwaves throughout the community and prompted swift action from the district administration and Arunachal Pradesh Police.
Criminal Case and the Formation of the SIT
A criminal case was immediately registered under PS Chayang Tajo Case No. 06/24. Sections 103(2), 238(a), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were invoked, indicating murder with criminal conspiracy and use of dangerous weapons.
Given the remote location and lack of direct witnesses, the East Kameng police constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikom. DySP (HQ) Mibom Yirang was appointed to head the technical investigation.
The SIT faced multiple challenges—including the rough terrain, lack of surveillance infrastructure, and limited communication lines. Yet, the team utilized a combination of mobile tower analysis, call data records, and social media tracing to map the suspects’ movements.
Unraveling the Crime: Digital Forensics and Ground Intelligence
The breakthrough came when an unidentified mobile number—active in the vicinity of the crime scene around the date of the murder—was tracked to one of the suspects. By establishing call links and triangulating tower pings, the police traced the involvement of six individuals in the meticulously planned revenge killing.
The accused—Kaller @ Sambo Jelly Lamgu, Ashing Lamgu, Tabing Lamgu, Tungdang Lamgu, Rasam Lamgu, and Tungri Lamgu—were all found to be relatives or close associates of the deceased Longya Lamgu. This confirmed the motive of revenge.
All six individuals had absconded shortly after the murder, fleeing the state and changing locations frequently to avoid detection. They also filed multiple anticipatory bail applications across different courts.
Legal Proceedings and Rejection of Bail Pleas
The judicial arm of the state acted swiftly. The Hon’ble Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench, rejected the anticipatory bail pleas filed by the suspects. One of the accused escalated the matter to the Hon’ble Supreme Court via a Special Leave Petition (SLP), which was also dismissed.
After months of pursuit involving inter-state coordination, all six accused were arrested between January and May 2025 and are currently lodged in judicial custody pending trial. Their arrests were not only a result of legal diligence but also reflected the seriousness with which the Arunachal Pradesh Police treated this act of vigilante violence.
Community Reactions and Tribal Sensitivities
The case has brought into focus the delicate balance between tribal customs and statutory law. While the tribal system of justice includes community mediation and compensation rituals, violent retaliation is not traditionally condoned. However, in regions with weak legal outreach, people often resort to extrajudicial means.
Community elders have expressed concern over the breakdown of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, urging the youth to trust the formal legal process. Several tribal organizations have begun holding meetings to address growing incidences of violence stemming from cultural disputes.
The Need for Legal Literacy and Modern Justice Access
This incident underscores the pressing need to increase legal literacy in remote tribal regions. Many residents are unaware of their rights, court procedures, or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms available under Indian law.
The Arunachal Pradesh Legal Services Authority (APSLA), district courts, and civil society groups must collaborate to hold regular awareness camps, mobile legal clinics, and tribal engagement programs. The involvement of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) and village elders can lend legitimacy to such efforts.
Police Response and Institutional Strengthening
Superintendent of Police Kamdam Sikom emphasized that “no one is above the law” and that “revenge killings are a dark spot on our society.” He reiterated the police’s commitment to deliver justice in a lawful and impartial manner.
This case has prompted the East Kameng district police to propose the creation of a specialized Tribal Affairs Cell within their department to handle cases involving cultural or ethnic sensitivities. This unit would include anthropologists, sociologists, and legal advisors to ensure that law enforcement is both efficient and respectful of local traditions.
The Mithun in Tribal Identity: A Broader Perspective
A wider conversation is also taking shape about the mithun’s role in tribal life. Some argue that as tribal economies modernize and land becomes scarcer, the free-grazing and semi-wild lifestyle of the mithun leads to disputes. Others believe the solution lies not in diminishing the mithun’s importance but in developing legal documentation and ownership verification systems.
The Animal Husbandry Department of Arunachal Pradesh has been asked to formulate guidelines for mithun ownership, tagging, and dispute mediation. Digitized mithun ID tags, biometric livestock tracking, and centralized tribal livestock registries are being explored as long-term solutions.
Political Reaction and Government Intervention
Political leaders across party lines condemned the killing and praised the police for swift action. Local MLAs have appealed for calm and urged communities to cooperate with the police.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, while addressing a gathering in Itanagar, stated:
“Such tragedies remind us of the need to strengthen our justice systems in remote areas. Tribal culture must be respected, but law must prevail. We will ensure both justice and reform.”
The state government has announced that special funds will be allocated to set up peace committees in districts prone to inter-tribal or familial feuds. These committees will include civil society leaders, retired police officers, and local panchayat members.
The East Kameng revenge killing case stands as a tragic example of how deeply entrenched cultural values, when combined with limited legal access, can result in fatal consequences. Yet, the police’s meticulous investigation, arrests, and legal actions signal a strong message—that no act of violence will go unpunished.
Going forward, Arunachal Pradesh must focus on integrating traditional knowledge systems with modern law enforcement. Legal literacy, police sensitization, community mediation, and conflict resolution training must be institutionalized.
While justice for Takom Dada moves forward in court, the larger mission is to prevent the next such incident. The tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh deserve safety, dignity, and modern justice—without having to sacrifice their traditions or lives.
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