A 17-year-old Class 12 student who had been living in a relief camp since the outbreak of the Manipur crisis in May 2023 was found dead on Tuesday at a relief facility in Bishnupur district, officials said.
The girl was staying at the Leimaram High School relief camp, which has been sheltering internally displaced persons (IDPs) since the ethnic violence erupted in the state nearly three years ago. Authorities said the student appeared to have taken her own life.
Student preparing for exams
According to officials, the teenager was a resident of Leimaram Waroiching village but had been displaced along with her family due to the ongoing conflict in Manipur. At the time of her death, she had been appearing for her Higher Secondary examinations, which began on February 17.
Her death has cast a sombre shadow over the relief camp, where hundreds of displaced families have been struggling to rebuild their lives after being uprooted from their homes.
No suicide note has been recovered from the scene.
Expressed desire to return home
Officials said the girl had recently expressed a strong desire to return to her village.
“A few days ago, the girl told her family members that she wanted to go back home and that she did not wish to continue living in the relief camp,” an official said.
She was discovered dead inside the camp on Tuesday morning.
Police register unnatural death case
Following the incident, Nambol Police Station registered a case of Unnatural Death and initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The body was sent for post-mortem examination at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, after which it was handed over to the grieving family.
Crisis continues to affect thousands
Manipur has been witnessing widespread ethnic violence since May 2023, primarily involving clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict has gradually affected several communities across the state.
According to official estimates, the violence has resulted in the deaths of over 260 people and displaced nearly 50,000 residents, forcing many to live in relief camps for extended periods.
In December last year, authorities began the resettlement of 257 internally displaced persons from 64 households who had been residing in the Leimaram High School relief camp.
However, the prolonged displacement and uncertainty continue to take a heavy emotional toll on many families, especially students whose education and future prospects have been deeply affected.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the psychological and social challenges faced by displaced communities living in temporary shelters for prolonged periods.