Candles, Tears and Unanswered Questions: Ziro Demands Justice for Tadu Haro

Hundreds of students, locals and civil society activists lit up the streets of Ziro on Friday evening during a candlelight march led by the Apatani Students’ Union (ASU), demanding justice for Tadu Haro, a Class 7 cadet of Sainik School Niglok in East Siang district who allegedly died following a ragging incident on November 1.

The march, organised by ASU and supported by several local organisations, began at 4 pm from Dani Kuniya Government Higher Secondary School, Hapoli, and concluded at Yubey Outdoor Stadium. Participants walked in silence, carrying candles and placards seeking accountability in the case that has triggered statewide outrage.

Haro was found dead near the school’s overhead water tank, and his family has alleged that CCTV footage shows he was subjected to nearly three hours of ragging and harassment by senior cadets prior to his death. They have termed the incident a result of “serious negligence by the school authorities” and said they expect strict punishment for those responsible. The family is awaiting further clarity after a fresh court hearing in Pasighat on Friday.

ASU president Mom Hangu and general secretary Takhe Pugang said the march was both a tribute to the deceased and a demand for systemic reforms in residential educational institutions. “This is a call for justice, but also a call for change. We must ensure such an atrocity never happens again,” they said.

The union placed several demands before the state government, including denial of bail to the accused, a fair and time-bound probe, expulsion and blacklisting of students found guilty of ragging, criminal prosecution of negligent school authorities, and the observance of a ‘State Anti-Ragging Day’.

Participants echoed these sentiments. “We are not here just to mourn but to demand answers,” said a college student from Ziro. A parent who joined the vigil said the incident had shaken the confidence of families. “If a child is not safe inside a school hostel, where is he safe?” she asked.

Haro’s death has renewed scrutiny of ragging-related violence in institutions across the country. The case gained wider attention after the victim’s sister, a former Miss Arunachal, alleged that he had been repeatedly harassed and tortured by senior cadets.

Police have detained eight students and arrested three school officials — two house masters and a hostel superintendent — on charges of negligence. The investigation has been handed over to the State Crime Branch’s Special Investigation Team (SIT).

ASU said it would continue monitoring the investigation and warned of intensifying its agitation if authorities fail to act transparently and decisively.

#arunachalpradesh #TaduHaro #ragging #sainikschool #pasighat