Tripura: Student Dies by Suicide in Hostel, TSF Blames Authorities for Inaction

Agartala, Jul 5: The alleged suicide of a 17-year-old student has prompted serious allegations against school officials, with the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), a Nationalist Students’ Organization, demanding accountability and claiming that administrative negligence contributed to the tragedy.

The deceased has been identified as Jekim Marak, a student of class 10, age 17. The Officer-In-Charge of Manu Police Station Nikhil Debbarma confirmed to Ukhrul Times, “We have registered a case as unnatural death and the investigation is underway.”

Following the incident, the Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF) represented by state General Secretary Hamalu Jamatia and members of the Longtharai Valley Divisional Committee filed a First Information Report (FIR) with Manu Police Station on Friday, demanding strict legal action against the authorities of 82 Mile Proper Higher Secondary School and Boys Hostel.

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According to reports, the tragedy took place on July 4, 2025, when Jekim Marak was allegedly found hanging from the ceiling by fellow students under distressing circumstances. The TSF alleges that the death is directly linked to the trauma of an earlier attack and the failure of school and hostel authorities to provide adequate support and protection to the students.

It is learned that the current complaints stem from a violent incident that took place on June 20, 2025, at the Proper ST Boys Hostel located at 82 Miles, Nalkata, Longtharai Valley. According to the TSF, eight individuals have been named in connection with the attack that allegedly targeted tribal students both in the market area and subsequently at the hostel premises.

The FIR identifies the accused as Deep Namasudra from Gola Basti, Nirupam Dey, Jeet Namasudra from Dudhpur, Anup Debnath, Manusha Dey, Raju Gope, Amal Dey, and Suken Das, all reportedly residents of the 82 Miles area. According to the complaint, the group of students was reportedly first targeted and chased in the market area before the attackers pursued them to the hostel premises.

The TSF alleges that the miscreants forcefully entered the hostel compound, vandalized the property, and physically assaulted students inside the facility. Several students allegedly sustained serious injuries requiring immediate hospitalization.

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Meanwhile, the federation has named four specific individuals as allegedly responsible for gross negligence and mishandling of the crisis. Susan Das, Headmaster of 82 Mile Proper Higher Secondary School, Pradeep Kumar Reang, Superintendent of the Boys Hostel, Indrajit Tripura, Chairman of the Hostel Community Committee, and Sanjit Debbarma, Member of the Hostel Community Committee, are among those facing potential criminal investigation.

According to the TSF, these authorities allegedly failed to prevent the attack, did not take immediate legal or protective action, and ignored the mental health and well-being of the hostel students. The complaint alleges that their negligence directly contributed to the loss of a young life and the trauma suffered by many others.

In response, General Secretary Jamatia stated, “The inaction and negligence of the school and hostel authorities after the brutal assault are unacceptable. A precious life has been lost, and we will not rest until justice is delivered to the victim’s family and safety is ensured for all indigenous students.”

However, the Twipra Students’ Federation has outlined specific demands in their complaint, including the registration of an FIR and immediate investigation into the roles and responsibilities of the named individuals. The organization is also calling for the identification and arrest of the outsiders who carried out the attack, justice for the family of the deceased student through proper legal procedures, and disciplinary action against the school and hostel authorities for institutional failure.

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The federation has vowed to continue their movement for justice and student safety until the administration takes full responsibility.