Northeast Desk, 7th July: Last night, Angom Premkumar, an internally displaced person residing at a displacement facility in Kwakta Sericulture, Bishnupur district, Manipur, was found dead by suicide, marking a tragic turn in the ongoing regional conflicts.
Local authorities discovered Premkumar’s body and have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. A spokesperson for the local administration stated, “We are examining all potential factors that may have contributed to this unfortunate event.”
The violence in Manipur, which erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei people of the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills, has led to a significant toll. Government reports indicate that as of May 3, 2024, the conflict has claimed 221 lives, displaced 60,000 individuals, injured over 1,000, and left 32 missing. The unrest has resulted in the destruction of 4,786 houses and the desecration of 386 religious structures, including temples and churches.
The turmoil was sparked by controversy over an affirmative action measure. The Manipur High Court’s April 14, 2023 decision to recommend Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community, later contested by the Supreme Court, triggered protests by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur on May 3. These demonstrations escalated into violent clashes between Kuki and Meitei groups, spreading unrest across Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.
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