Yurembam Angamba Singh, a 13-year-old boy displaced by the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, died by suicide at a relief camp located in Jiribam Higher Secondary School on Sunday morning. His family had been living in the camp since their home was destroyed in violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities that erupted in May 2023.
The incident has renewed concerns over the mental health crisis and well-being of internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially children, living in precarious conditions. Authorities have registered a case and initiated an investigation, including a postmortem scheduled at Silchar Medical College, Assam. This was the sixth reported suicide among IDPs this year, with four involving minors, highlighting the ongoing trauma in the camps.
Deep Trauma Among Displaced Children
Yurembam Angamba was found hanging at the cycle shed in the relief camp around 1:50 am. The prolonged displacement and uncertainty have severely affected the psychological health of children living in the camps, where basic amenities are limited. Angamba’s mother and other camp residents described the devastating impact of long-term displacement beyond mere financial hardships.
The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has acknowledged rising child suicides and stressed the urgent need for counselling and psychological support. MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar underscored that the trauma from ethnic violence, unstable living conditions, and fractured social networks have led to mental health crises among vulnerable children.
Context of Conflict and Displacement
The ethnic violence in Manipur began in May 2023 over a contentious issue involving the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status, opposed by the Kuki-Zo tribal communities.
The clashes quickly escalated to widespread violence marked by killings, arson, and destruction of thousands of homes and religious sites. Over 260 lives have been lost, including many from the tribal Kuki community, and more than 60,000 residents have been displaced, many residing in relief camps like the one in Jiribam.
The camps are overcrowded and lack adequate infrastructure, compounding health, sanitation, and psychological issues. President’s rule was imposed in February 2025 in an attempt to restore order, but peace remains elusive as political tensions and ethnic divides persist.
This tragic incident is part of a disturbing pattern of suicides among displaced children in Manipur’s relief camps. Since the ethnic violence began in May 2023, there have been at least four other reported suicides involving minors. For instance, a 13-year-old boy died by suicide inside a school hostel in Saiton village in July 2025, followed by a 15-year-old boy found hanging at his residence in Moirang Khoiru Makha Leikai in August.
Additionally, a Class IX girl from Thamnapokpi reportedly died by suicide, linked to cyberbullying, in late August. The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights has highlighted this rising trend, warning that without urgent intervention, the state risks losing an entire generation to suicide, substance abuse, or violence. The commission has urged the immediate rollout of the Manipur State Policy for Children to provide a safety net for vulnerable minors, particularly those living in displacement.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The tragic loss of a young life underlines the silent suffering endured by displaced children caught in conflict zones. The Logical Indian advocates for an empathetic response from governments, civil society, and communities that prioritises mental health care, trauma counselling, and sustained peacebuilding initiatives.
Physical safety must be paired with emotional and psychological support to restore hope and dignity among those uprooted by violence. Healing fractured social bonds through dialogue and coexistence is crucial to breaking the cycle of fear and despair.
