Manjeet Singh, a resident of Tirah, has died by suicide after months of displacement and uncertainty.
He was a businessman in Tirah and, according to people who knew him, had been deeply distressed by being unable to return to his home, land and livelihood.
For months, thousands of Tirah residents have remained displaced, demanding a dignified return to their homes. Their sit-in has continued for more than eight months, while the government has only recently announced that the return of displaced families is expected to begin from October 10.
Manjeet Singh’s death represents something far bigger than the loss of one individual.
It is a painful reminder of the human cost of prolonged displacement of people separated from their homes, their land, their businesses and their sense of belonging.
No family should have to spend months asking one question:
“When will we be allowed to go home?”
