Hundreds come out in support of brutalised students
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 07 2023: Hundreds of concerned citizens in India and abroad have generously contributed to a collective fund to lighten the burden of medical expenses borne by families of students who are victims of brute force unleashed by Central and State forces.

These students were protesting against the kidnap- ping and cold blooded murder of two young students by armed Kuki militants.

As thousands of aggrie-ved and anguished students protested on the streets of Imphal against the cold blooded murder of Linthoi-ngambi Hijam (17) and Phijam Hemanjit (20) by Kuki narco-terrorists, they were subjected to massive and brutal crackdown by both Central forces and State forces who used smoke bombs, tear gas shells, live bullets as well as pellet guns.

Hundreds come out in support of brutalised students

As a result, a large num-ber of students sustained injuries and some of these injuries were very critical and life threatening.

Expressing solidarity to the victims of the police and armed forces' brutality, over three hundred Meiteis, Kabuis, Tangkhuls, Meitei Pangals, Tamil and well wishers from all across the globe collected a sum of Rs 6,74,515 and the same amount was shared to severely injured students.

While Rs 1,25,405 was collected from Manipur, Rs 70,000 was received from Europe, Rs 500 from Singapore, Rs 3,000 from Aus- tralia, Rs 10,000 from South Africa, Rs 35,610 from various States of India and Rs 4,30,000 from the United States of America and Canada.

The amount was handed over to the eight injured students yesterday and today.

Rs 1,63,630 was given to Kishan Loitongbam of Yairipok who sustained injuries on the shoulder with 40 pellets still embedded in his arm.

Rs 1,63,630 was given to Johnson Mayanglambam of Top Khongnang Makhong who has lost his vision.

Rs 1,33,580 was donated to Uttam Soibam of Liwa Maibam Leikai who suffered multiple pellet injuries on his head, face and hand.

Although 58 pellets have been removed from the right side of his head, about 30 pellets are yet to be removed from the left side of his head.

Pellets embedded in his face are yet to be removed and he has been advised to go outside Manipur for treatment.

Rs 1,33,580 was given to Jotin Wahengbam of Lilong Arapti who suffered blunt trauma in the liver area.

He is a student studying in Class-8 .

Rs 50,000 was shared with Raju Thangjam of Nambol Khabi who suffered injuries on the face and mandible fracture (repaired with iron plates) .

Rs 10,050 was given to Santosh Asem of Khumbong Makha Leikai who suffered face injury and crack in the maxilla bone.

Rs 10,050 was donated to Pipin Takhellambam of Loushangkhong, who suffered multiple pellet injuries from head to toe.

Although pellets in the upper limb have been removed, those in the lower limb are yet to be removed.

Another Rs 10,050 was donated to Nungshithoi Leitanthem (Henja Chanu) of Waiton who suffered blast injury from tear gas shells in the leg.

"We are very grateful to everyone who came forward to help the injured students.

The most inspiring and humble experience is that the contribution which came in the form of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, Rs 100, Rs 200 from students, aspirants of NEET/JEE/NET/ Bank Exams/Civil Services Exams etc who are not employed yet.

They contributed from the minuscule pocket money which their parents had given them, all for the greater cause of students' welfare," said Ringo Pebam, one of the members of volunteers who collected the amount.

"The volunteers are not affiliated to any political groups, CSOs or organisations, they are just individuals who want to help.

Moreover, there were monetary contributions from other ethnic and religious communities from Manipur and other States", said Ringo.