Alleged Cop Killer Shot Dead by Cops in Arunachal

ITANAGAR: After more than three years on the run, the man wanted for the murder of a police officer in Arunachal Pradesh has been killed by police in an encounter.

Tagyung Yangfo, the prime accused in the murder of deputy superintendent of police, late Bomto Kamdak, was shot dead by police at Rama Camp in Dirang at West Kameng district on Saturday morning.

Police said that they had received information regarding Yangfo's hideout near Khamkar Nala. A police team reportedly raided the hideout at around 8.30 am where his wife was also living with him.

A statement from the police said that Yangfo was asked to surrender but that he refused and instead drew a pistol and began shooting at the team.

Police also said that one of his bullets hit SP of the SIT, Navdeep Singh Brar, on his bullet proof jacket. The team reportedly fired back in self-defence and gave chase. During the ensuing face-off, Yangfo is said to have sustained injuries and taken to a hospital where he was declared brought dead.

Yangfo was wanted in several police cases and was a repeat offender who had escaped from prison at least twice earlier.

There was a bounty of Rs five lakh on him.

On the night of August 13, 2016, Kamdak and his team had gone to Chayang-Tajo circle in East Kameng district where it was learnt that Yangfo was in hiding. Police reports said that Yangfo had refused to surrender to the police back then and during the exchange of fire, Kamdak was shot dead and the accused managed to get away. During the exchange, one civilian- Sei Bagang -had also died.

The incident gained infamy for the high-profile nature of the case and resulted in the family constituting the Bomto Kamdak Bravery Award and the Arunachal government conferring the first 'Arunachal Ratna' award to him.

Kamdak's wife, Moni Basar, was also inducted into the state police force in the same rank.

It was not without its fair share of controversy, with the families of those civilians who were injured questioning the manner of the police raid which injured at least two other civilians.

Sei Bagang's wife, Yasuk, had also filed a complaint with the police against Kamdak's personal security officer, calling his action 'condemnable'.

A civilian team had visited the site of the incident and submitted a report to the DIGP stating that Bagang was poor farmer and was innocent.