Manipur Police have registered a suo moto case following the death of a minor girl in Thamnapokpi Makha Leikai, Bishnupur district, on August 22, after a video of the deceased went viral on social media.
Initial investigation revealed that the girl had been subjected to blackmail and harassment, which prima facie drove her to take her own life, police officials said on Thursday.
One juvenile allegedly directly responsible has been apprehended, while three other minors—two girls and a boy—accused of circulating the video have also been taken into custody. All four have been placed at the Child Observation Home under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Police said further investigation is underway to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) expressed grave concern over the case, noting an “alarming rise” in suicides among children and adolescents in the state. According to the Commission, Bishnupur district alone has reported three such cases in the past two months.
Child rights groups have urged stronger preventive measures, counseling support in schools, and strict monitoring of cyberbullying and online harassment cases.
