Itanagar, Oct 27: Arunachal Pradesh Police have launched a nationwide manhunt for IAS officer Talo Potom following two back-to-back suicides, allegations of sexual exploitation, and widespread public protests.
The latest victim, a 19-year-old youth, allegedly died by suicide on the morning of October 23. He was working as a multi-tasking staff member in the Public Works Department (PWD). In a suicide note purportedly written by him, the victim accused Talo Potom and a PWD executive engineer of repeatedly sexually abusing him. He further alleged that he contracted HIV due to sexual exploitation by the second accused.
Potom, 53, who earlier served as Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar, is currently posted in New Delhi as a Special Officer under the Secretary of the PWD.
According to the police, a lookout notice was issued by the Nirjuli Police Station on Saturday after the accused could not be traced.
“The accused is still evading arrest,” a police official said.
Police sources said the victim was offered the job by Potom during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Itanagar between 2021 and 2025. Potom was recently transferred to Delhi. The police confirmed that post-mortem examinations of both the victim and the second accused have been completed, and an HIV test was conducted on the victim’s body.
“We are awaiting the reports,” the officer added.
The suicide note also alleged that Potom and the engineer were involved in large-scale corruption and other “immoral activities.”
Family members of the victim joined public protests demanding the immediate arrest of the IAS officer. The situation in Itanagar has turned tense as demonstrators continue to demand justice.
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