Myanmar National Dies in Manipur Jail as Rights Group Demands Inquiry

Imphal: A Myanmar national died Sunday inside the Churachandpur District Temporary Jail. Prison staff found the body early in the morning and immediately alerted district police. The death sparked an official investigation.

Police conducted an inquest and forensic examination with an Executive Magistrate present. They moved the body to the District Morgue while notifying the District Magistrate. Officials are now working to identify and contact the man's next of kin. A pending post-mortem will determine the cause and time of death.

The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) raised alarms over the facility's safety. The group cited overcrowding and poor medical access as major issues. The detention site opened in 2023 during Manipur's ethnic violence. It was never built for long-term use.

"The incident should not be viewed in isolation," the group stated while criticizing the lack of sanitation and healthcare. KOHUR pushed the Manipur government to launch an independent inquiry. They demand time-bound changes to prevent future tragedies, insisting the state must protect the fundamental rights of every inmate.