YUPIA, 28 Sep: Family members and relatives of school student Tarh Kekelele staged a protest here on Monday against the granting of bail to the eight individuals arrested in connection with her death.

Kekelele was found injured on 23 September at Don Bosco School, Doimukh, and later succumbed to her injuries. The family lodged an FIR, following which eight persons, including the principal of the school, were arrested by the Doimukh police.

On Monday, the accused were produced before the JFMC court after their three-day police custody ended. The court remanded them to judicial custody.

The protesting family members, while seeking justice for Kekelele, said that bail should not be granted to the arrested persons as the investigation is still at an early stage.

"She sustained multiple injuries, and we suspect foul play, including physical violence and possible sexual assault. Further, the CCTV cameras covering the hostel premises were non-functional at the time of the incident. All these circumstances raise serious questions over her death. All those responsible for her death should be strongly punished," said one of the protesters.

The protesters demanded that, till the investigation is completed, no one should be given bail.

Meanwhile, Papum Pare SP Taru Gusar, speaking to this daily, said that the investigation is ongoing.

"We assure everyone that the case will be properly investigated. We have already started the investigation and will try to speed it up," said SP Gusar.