The streets of East Siang were illuminated by thousands of flickering candles on Wednesday evening as a wave of grief and indignation swept through the district. Organized by the Arunachal Teachers’ Association (ATA) East Siang unit, a massive candlelight march was held to demand swift and exemplary justice for late Yapi Potom, who was brutally murdered in the state capital, Itanagar, on April 7. The demonstration served as a powerful collective voice against violence and a plea for the protection of women in the state.
The solemn procession commenced from Mirbuk Charali and wound its way toward Gandhi Chowk, drawing participants from every corner of the community. The program began with the poignant lighting of candles before a portrait of Yapi Potom, followed by a one-minute silence to honor her memory. The atmosphere was one of somber determination, as members of the public stood shoulder-to-shoulder with representatives from various socio-cultural and student organizations.
The event saw an unprecedented level of unity among community-based organizations. Leaders from the Adi Ba:ne Ane Kebang (ABAK), Galo Welfare Society (GWS), Bogong Banggo Kebang, and various student bodies from JNC Pasighat and Arunachal Pradesh University joined the frontlines. Speakers, including ATA General Secretary Kalen Komut and GWS President Minkar Doji, addressed the gathering, stating that the brutal act was not merely a crime against an individual but a “grave injustice that has shaken the conscience of the entire society.”
The core demand resonating through the march was the establishment of a fast-track trial. Activists and senior citizens alike emphasized that a delayed trial would be a denial of justice. They called upon the state authorities to ensure that the accused receives the most stringent punishment possible to serve as a deterrent against such heinous crimes in the future. The speakers stressed that the legal system must act with urgency to restore the public’s faith in safety and governance.
Beyond the legal demands, the march highlighted the devastating human cost of the tragedy. Participants spoke of a family shattered and young children now forced to navigate their formative years without the love and guidance of their mother. Consequently, the demonstrators appealed to the government for adequate support and security for the victim’s surviving children and elderly parents, who have been left vulnerable by this senseless loss.
As the candles burned low at Gandhi Chowk, the message from East Siang remained bright and clear: the community will not rest until justice is delivered. The ATA and its allied organizations have vowed to stand firmly with the bereaved family, ensuring that the memory of Yapi Potom becomes a catalyst for safer streets and a more accountable justice system in Arunachal Pradesh.
