Death of Nursing Student at RIMS Imphal sparks protest in Meghalaya; CoMSO demands judicial probe

The death of a nursing student, found hanging in an unused, vacant hostel on the RIMS Imphal campus, has sparked protests in Meghalaya. The Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organizations (CoMSO) is demanding a judicial probe into the incident.
CoMSO has submitted a formal request to Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar, urging the initiation of a judicial inquiry into the death of Abiel Salchiana Ch Marak, a medical student at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.
In its appeal, CoMSO expressed serious concerns over alleged institutional neglect, psychological harassment, mental trauma, and possible foul play in connection with the reported suicide.
The organization described Marak as a bright and committed student, well-regarded for her academic dedication and passion for medicine. They questioned how such a tragedy could occur within the premises of a reputed institution like RIMS, noting that the incident raises critical legal and ethical concerns.
CoMSO further pointed out that the case involves constitutional rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21, along with state obligations outlined in Articles 41 and 46 of the Indian Constitution. According to reports from fellow students, Marak may have experienced mental harassment, high academic pressure, discriminatory treatment, and insufficient psychological support from the institution.
The organization warned that, in the absence of a fair, transparent, and high-level investigation, the incident risks being overlooked as just another statistic. It also highlighted broader issues such as institutional violence, caste and ethnic-based discrimination, and the failure of academic institutions to implement student welfare policies effectively.
Citing guidelines from the University Grants Commission and the National Medical Commission, CoMSO alleged violations in the handling of the case and urged urgent action to ensure accountability.