Imphal: A Myanmar national lodged in judicial custody was found dead inside the premises of the Churachandpur District Temporary Jail on Sunday, prompting authorities to initiate an investigation and legal proceedings.
According to district police officials, an inquest and forensic examination were conducted in the presence of an Executive Magistrate. The body was subsequently shifted to the District Morgue, and the District Magistrate was formally informed for further action.
Officials said the deceased’s identity was being communicated to the next of kin. The exact cause of death has not yet been established.
Jail authorities reportedly discovered the body early on Sunday and alerted the administration. Security personnel cordoned off the area within the prison compound as officials began preliminary investigations.
Authorities said a post-mortem examination would be conducted to determine the cause and approximate time of death.
KOHUR raises concerns over jail conditions
The Kuki Organisation for Human Rights Trust (KOHUR) expressed concern over the incident, saying the death had raised serious questions about the safety, welfare and living conditions of inmates at the facility.
The human rights organisation said the incident should not be viewed in isolation and called for an examination of the broader conditions inside the temporary jail.
Established following the ethnic violence in Manipur in 2023, the detention facility has reportedly housed inmates for extended periods under difficult circumstances.
KOHUR argued that the facility’s temporary nature and emergency origins could not justify inadequate standards of safety, sanitation and healthcare.
The organisation described the reported prison conditions as inhumane and raised concerns over overcrowding, poor sanitation and limited access to medical facilities.
It also stressed that people in custody retain their fundamental rights, including the right to life and medical care. The state, it said, has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of those held in detention.
Rights group seeks independent inquiry
KOHUR urged the Manipur government to intervene immediately and ensure an impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The organisation also called for an independent inspection of the jail premises and time-bound corrective measures to address the reported shortcomings and prevent further loss of life.
The cause of the Myanmar national’s death remains unknown, and the findings of the post-mortem examination and ongoing investigation are awaited.