Heart-wrenched global citizens poured in Rs 6.48 lakh to support the families of eight murdered civilians of Kumbi and Ningthoukhong
- Imphal, January 28, 2024 -

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Concerned Manipuris and non-Manipuris from Manipur, across India, and abroad have come forward to provide support to the bereaved families of the four innocent daily wage earners from Wangoo Terakhong Akasoi, Kumbi, who were mercilessly killed by Kuki militants on January 10. The victims were murdered when they were collecting firewood at Haotak Phailen Hill range. To further add to this nightmare, another incident took place at at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou where four innocent farmers were also butchered by Kuki militants on January 17.

To help the families of Kumbi victims, a Global Contribution Campaign was conducted from January 12 to 16. While the Manipur Team was working on the logistics of providing support to the Kumbi victims, the merciless Ningthoukhong massacre took place. The Global Team came to a consensus that a portion of the contribution for Kumbi victims should be shared with the Ningthoukhong victims.

While Rs 1,51,757 was collected from Manipur, Rs 2,16,751 was received from the Diasporas in the USA, Rs 60,000 from Manipuri Association of Canada, Rs 40,000 from Meetei Yaipha Lup, Europe, and Rs 1,80,433 from various States of India; making the collection a total amount of Rs 6,48,941(Six lakh forty-eight thousand nine hundred and forty-one).

The aid was handed over today based on equity, not equality.

Kumbi victims:

1. The family of Late Ahanthem Dara (Age: 55 years) was given a Phishakon, five Mayung Maphen Lang, Sewing Machine, Bicycle, Water Filter, Hot Water Bag, Electric Heater, and 78,206 (deposited to the bank account of Dara’s wife Thoibi Ahanthem).

2. The family of Late Oinam Romen (Age: 38 years) was given a Phishakon, five Mayung Maphen Lang, Sewing Machine, Bicycle, Water Filter, Hot Water Bag, Electric Heater, 108m of 10mm wire for electricity connection, and Rs 78,206 (deposited to the bank account of Romen’s wife Oinam Pramodini).

3. The family of Late Thoudam Ibomcha (Age: 51 years) was given a Phishakon, five Mayung Maphen Lang, Sewing Machine, Bicycle, Electric Heater, and 78,206 (deposited to the bank account of Ibomcha’s wife Thoudam Sumila).

4. The family of Late Thoudam Anand (Age: 20 years) was given a Phishakon, five Mayung Maphen Lang, Sewing Machine, Bicycle, Electric Heater, 190m of 10mm wire for electricity connection, clothes for his 6-month-old baby, and Rs 1,02,645 (deposited to the bank account of Anand’s wife Thoudam Echan).

All the wives of the four victims of Kumbi stated that they preferred bank deposits when asked about their choices between cash and bank deposits. They added that the amounts will be saved for their child/children.

Ningthoukhong victims:

1. The family of Late Oinam Bamoljao (Age: 60 years) was given a sum of Rs 34,215.

2. The family of Late Oinam Manitomba (Age: 32 years) was given a sum of Rs 34,215.

3. The family of Late Thiyam Somen (Age: 50 years) was given a sum of Rs 34,215.

4. The family of Late Ningthoujam Nabadwip (Age: 37 years) was given a sum of Rs 48,878.

Rajshree Keisham, who is based in the United States of America, took the initiative to gather funds from America. She informed, "Everyone coming together and pitching on helping and supporting fellow Meiteis in need is the essence of our community. Supporting one another is embedded in the soul of our Meitei community. Let's amplify this nature and make it a consistent part of who we are!"

Homer, who is based in Bangalore, who did the fund drive from among his friends who are based in Bangalore and Imphal said, “The dire state of poverty of the four families have left us shocked and seeing the barbaric way the four Meites were killed, we like-minded group of friends and associates came together to pitch some amount of money how much ever we could”.

Bonet Adhikarimayum, who resides in New Delhi, collected funds in the National Capital. "This tragic incident has left me heartbroken. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families," he grieved.

In a similar tone, Meetei Yaipha Lup, Europe, conveyed, "We stand in solidarity with the victims of the Haotak Massacre and their families in this distressing time."

Vladimir Adityanath, a native of West Bengal who is taking part in collecting funds for the victims, said, “I am extremely grateful to be a part of this fund drive. The so-called Manipur Violence has created thousands of victims who are in urgent need of support. I humbly request our society to come to their aid and empower the local organisations working on the ground. The native people and indigenous culture of Bharat must be protected. Sweeping reforms are needed in the legislation and education sectors for any long-term solution.”

Dayananda Paonam, Treasurer of the Manipuri Association of Canada, who led the fund drive in Canada, remarked, “I extend my deepest condolences to the grieving families. May strength and support surround them during this difficult time! Let’s stand united to bring peace and progress to the community.”

Ringo Pebam, an Imphal-based concerned citizen, who initiated the fund drive campaign in Manipur, said, "To create a source of income after losing the bread earners, we gave Phishakon (Loom) and sewing machines to the families of the four victims of Kumbi as all the women in the families have weaving skill. Earlier, they used to borrow Phishakon from others.”

Ringo continued, “The bicycles that the four Kumbi victims used when they were at Haotak on that fateful day (January 10) were never found. The bicycles were vital for their daily livelihood such as carrying wood, rice bags, and water. So, we have bought new bicycles, one each for the four families. After purchasing the aforementioned items, and keeping aside a portion for Ningthoukhong victims, the left over money has been deposited to the respective bank accounts of the wives of the four victims today, for their children's tomorrow. Actually, we had closed the contributions for the Kumbi victims on January 16 and the Ningthoukhong killing happened on January 17. We shared a portion of the money collected for Kumbi victims with those of Ningthoukhong as well today. Both the Kumbi and Ningthoukhong victim families were very happy with such a shared arrangement.”

Ringo Pebam also pointed out the plights of villagers at the foothills, “The Emas/ Meira Paibis from Koutruk to Tangjeng, from Pukhao to Phougakchao, from Sabungkhok Khunou to Sugnu, from Kadangband to Chairel Mangjing… are taking vigil day and night, so are the village volunteers taking sentry at the bordering villages. They are all daily wage earners, and this conflict has taken a toll on their earnings. They are not able to earn as they spend most of their time guarding their villages. They don’t stay at their homes which often come under the attacks of Kuki militants most of the time. The Government must bring a long term solution for this ongoing conflict and end the sufferings of such common people at the earliest."

Details of contributions, expenses, and the shares of the contributions that victims’ families received:

The cash memos/ invoices can be seen at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z2bgedAo02HoklPmhSKSq8DYLltrsuIo

See a photo gallery on this payment here