Lack of infrastructure allegedly takes a retired footballer's life in Twilang area
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, April 11 2022: A former Manipur State League player from Chalwa village under Tujang Vaichong Sub-Division in Kangpokpi district reportedly died after suffering shortness of breath this morning at around 8:30 am.

Demlenlal alias Lalneo Khongsai (35), son of (L) Khuppao Khongsai was a noted football player of JSYC Sadar Hills.

He led the Sadar Hills team into the prestigious Manipur State League in 2012 after taking the Winner's Cup in 2011 .

According to sources, the deceased suffered shortness of breath this morning at around 8:30 am and was immediately rushed to T Vaichong PHC, the nearest health care in the area.

However, no doctors were available at the health centre and when they tried to provide oxygen through an Oxygen Concentrator, there was no electricity or generator at the health centre.

Lalneo Khongsai was then brought to Kangpokpi Christian Hospital, where the doctor declared him dead.

It may be mentioned that the deceased was reportedly delayed in reaching the hospital due to the minor mudslide which occurred this morning at Lamlenkon and the deplorable condition of the state's oldest highway Imphal-Tamenglong road.

The non-availability of an ambulance was also one of the main factors for the delay in reaching the town on time.

Lalneo Khongsai is survived by his wife and three children.

Meanwhile, on learning about the incident, KSO Sadar Hills along with KSO Twilang block met the Chief Medical Officer Kangpokpi at her office chamber and put up the matter for necessary action while discussing means and ways so that such undesirable incidents do not reoccur in the area.

At the meeting, CMO Kangpokpi stated that she had been trying her best to provide sufficient manpower and infrastructure at T Vaichong PHC considering its importance and necessity for the people and assured to play her role as a CMO to ensure such incidents do not reoccur in the area.

The CMO also mentioned that since only 2 doctors out of the 5 sanction post are available, she posted 2 more doctors from the CMO Pool at T Vaichong PHC while adding that the doctors most of the time have to travel in a passenger vehicle owing to the bad road condition which takes more time to reach the health centre.

Expressing his displeasure for the alleged negligence, KSO Sadar Hills president, Hemin Kipgen stated that KSO Sadar Hills along with KSO Twilang block have apprised the State Government and authorities concerned about the non-availability of doctors and infrastructure at T Vaichong PHC, apart from the all-time ghoulish road condition and the recent mudslides at Lamlenkon which has become a main concerned in the area.

He also mentioned that they have apprised the various issues and problems in the area, appealed to the Government to provide adequate doctors and infrastructure including an ambulance at the PHC apart from providing all-season roads in the area to save lives during an emergency but nothing has been done till today.

"Our strength of tolerance has been exhausted and if the Government and authorities concerned still remain a mute spectator after this unfortunate incident, we will be compelled to take our own course of action", he cautioned.

Moreover, JSYC Sadar Hills expressed heartfelt condolence over the untimely demise of its former player Lalneo Khongsai and conveyed the club's solidarity to the bereaved family.

Kangpokpi Youth Union also conveyed its deepest condolence over the untimely demise of Lalneo Khongsai while recalling that the youth union had lifted the first Mangboi Trophy in 2008 at Motbung with the help of Lalneo Khongsai.

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