A pall of grief and suspicion has descended following the discovery of the body of 20-year-old Khangembam Priyaluxmi Devi from Manipur near Maharani Bagh in Delhi’s Sunlight Colony on April 19th, prompting the immediate formation of a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to demand a comprehensive investigation into her demise.
The newly formed JAC is vehemently contesting the initial police classification of the young woman’s death as a suicide, asserting the circumstances surrounding the incident warrant a far more rigorous and impartial inquiry to uncover the truth and bring any potential perpetrators to justice.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Rural Youth Development Organisation office in Ngaikhong Siphai, N. Bishrup, the co-convenor of the JAC, voiced the committee’s strong reservations, stating unequivocally, “The death is suspicious. The case must be investigated to punish all culprits involved.”
Priyaluxmi, a resident of Ngaikhong Siphai in the Bishnupur district of Manipur, had been residing in the national capital since October of the previous year, where she was employed at a BPO company situated in Noida. Police reports suggest she allegedly fell from a building terrace located in southeast Delhi, and her mortal remains were transported back to Imphal on April 20th.
Bishrup drew attention to the deeply concerning and persistent issue of discrimination faced by individuals hailing from the Northeast region, emphasizing, “The incident of murder, killing and discrimination of people from North East and Manipur outside the states is not a new thing. There is suspicion of some foul play in connection with the death of Priyaluxmi.”
In a determined effort to ensure a fair and thorough probe, the JAC has formally appealed to both the Governor and the Chief Secretary, urging their intervention to guarantee a meticulous investigation into the tragic incident.
Adding another layer of concern, the committee has expressed its distress over disturbing content circulating on social media platforms concerning the deceased. Bishrup cautioned, “Those negative or bad comments circulating in social media with regard to deceased of Priyaluxmi hurt the sentiments of the family members who are mourning the departure of their loved one,” and he further warned of potential legal repercussions for those who fail to remove such insensitive material.
According to preliminary police reports, CCTV footage indicates that Priyaluxmi was alone in the moments leading up to the incident, and a suicide note purportedly expressing emotional distress was discovered on her mobile phone. While a female IPS official has described the case as appearing to be “a normal suicide,” she also acknowledged that the investigation into the precise circumstances surrounding her death remains ongoing.
Priyaluxmi shared accommodation with a roommate named Marina, and both were employed at iEnergizer, a BPO located in Noida. Her body has been transferred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) mortuary for a comprehensive postmortem examination.
Looking ahead, the JAC has made a fervent appeal to state organisations operating in Delhi to implement proactive measures aimed at preventing similar tragic incidents from occurring in the future, underscoring the need for greater safety and security for individuals from the Northeast residing in the capital.