Dimapur, Nagaland –
The mortal remains of a young Naga woman, Allen, were flown back to her hometown in Dimapur for burial amidst her grieving loved ones, thanks to the intervention of Helping Hands under its Akhri Ahuti scheme. This solemn moment serves as a painful reminder of a larger, troubling trend—the growing migration of unemployed youth from Northeast India to metropolitan cities in search of jobs, often ending in despair and tragedy.
Allen’s death, reportedly under disturbing circumstances, has once again exposed the dark realities faced by many Northeastern youth in India’s cities. Lured by the hope of employment, thousands travel to urban areas each year only to find themselves in exploitative and low-paying jobs within the unorganized private sector. Cut off from their communities and culture, many struggle with loneliness, financial pressure, and emotional distress. In some heartbreaking cases, like Allen’s, it ends in death—either through crime or suicide.
Robin Hibu, IPS officer and President of Helping Hands, expressed deep sorrow over the loss and emphasized the urgent need to create sustainable employment opportunities in the Northeast. “This is the least we in Helping Hands could do—bringing her back home for a proper burial surrounded by her loved ones,” he said. “Sadly, such cases are becoming more frequent. Our youth deserve dignity, safety, and a future they can build back home—not in heartless cities where they are underpaid, exploited, and forgotten.”
He also extended heartfelt gratitude to Pastor Imkong of Gurgaon, Spuner officials, and Helping Hands volunteers Ajay Subba and Naresh Kumar from Delhi for their selfless support in arranging Allen’s final journey home.
As Helping Hands vows to seek justice for Allen and hold those responsible accountable, her death raises an urgent call for introspection—by both policymakers and society—on how we treat migrant workers from the Northeast and how we can create better opportunities in their own regions.
