A tragic double suicide in Arunachal Pradesh has shocked the region, with a 19-year-old man's note alleging severe sexual exploitation and threats by two senior government officials. Gomchu Yekar was discovered deceased in his rented room near Itanagar on Thursday, prompting a police investigation that uncovered disturbing claims of abuse, manipulation, and blackmail. The case has ignited public outrage and calls for accountability in public administration, highlighting vulnerabilities faced by young job seekers in remote areas.

Yekar's body was found after a neighbour noticed his door ajar with no response, leading to the recovery of a suicide note that detailed his ordeal. According to police sources, the note accused Talo Potom, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and former deputy commissioner, and Likwang Lowang, an executive engineer in the Rural Works Department, of recruiting him under false pretences and subjecting him to repeated sexual harassment. Yekar claimed the officials exploited him, promised Rs 1 crore in financial aid but reneged, and threatened to "destroy his life" when he sought help. He further alleged contracting HIV as a result of the abuse, after which he was abandoned and blackmailed, leaving him in despair.

Yekar's father, Tagom Yekar, promptly filed a formal complaint against Potom and Lowang for abetment to suicide, escalating the matter into a criminal probe. Initially classified as an unnatural death, the case now includes charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for abetment, harassment, and potential offences related to sexual exploitation. Arunachal Pradesh Police have launched a thorough investigation, including forensic analysis of the note and digital records, while assuring the family of swift action. The officials have not issued public statements, and authorities are withholding further details to protect the ongoing inquiry.

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The second suicide in this incident remains under wraps, with sources indicating it involved one of the accused officials, compounding the scandal's gravity. Arunachal Pradesh, a northeastern state with limited oversight in its administrative machinery, has seen sporadic reports of power imbalances in government hiring, often favouring informal networks over merit. This case echoes broader national concerns over youth mental health and institutional abuse, as evidenced by rising suicide rates among young adults—over 10,000 annually in India per National Crime Records Bureau data. Civil society groups are demanding an independent probe and stricter vetting for public servants, urging the state government to address systemic gaps. As the investigation unfolds, the Yekar family's grief underscores the urgent need for safeguards against exploitation in vulnerable communities.

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