IMPHAL: A 21-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide at a relief camp in Imphal West district, Manipur, on Tuesday, according to police reports. The incident occurred at the Mekola Higher Secondary School relief camp in the afternoon.
Police identified the deceased as Sukham Ongbi Chanu, who was married a couple of months ago. Her body was discovered hanging from the ceiling by another camp inmate, who attempted but failed to save her.
Authorities have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. The body has been sent to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) for post-mortem examination.
The tragic incident highlights the struggles of thousands living in relief camps across Manipur amid ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which has persisted since May 2023.
Meanwhile, people of several villages have started a demonstration urging the authorities not to transfer central forces from Uyok Hills, where clashes between militants and security personnel were reported recently. Villagers of Thamnapokpi, Sanasabi, and Yaingangpokpi close to Saibol have been on a sit-in at the foothills of Uyok Hills since Monday evening, officials said.
The villagers are afraid that members of the central forces, such as the BSF and CRPF, recently stationed at Saibol village bordering Imphal East district, might be removed “under pressure,” the officials said.
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