He had plans to celebrate our baby's first birthday: Wife recalls Sushil's last moments with child
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 20 2026: "Don't let the baby cry, I'll return early"--this was what Sushil said before he left home for the last time. Kshetrimayum Sushil, 32, was gunned down shortly after he left home by suspected Kuki militants on October 19, only days before he could celebrate his baby boy's first birthday as he had planned.

Sushil was among three killed by militants on Sunurok Uyok Ching when they were collecting firewood.

Sushil was a daily wage earner and a father of three children, two girls and a boy, all under the age of 10 .

The birthday of the youngest--the baby boy--falls on October 30 .

At their Uyumpok Mamang Leikai house, crying inconsolably, his wife, Premi, recalled her husband's last words to her.

He had plans to celebrate our baby's first birthday: Wife recalls Sushil's last moments with child

Premi said her husband went to the hills to collect firewood unwillingly that fateful day.

He didn't want to go, but there were others waiting for him.

So, he went reluctantly, Premi said, regretting that Sushil didn't stay.

Premi said Sushil had plans to celebrate the baby boy's birthday big on October 30 by inviting family members.

"Picking up the baby, he said he would celebrate the birthday big this time".

He was planning to invite his wedded sister and her husband and celebrate the birth together, Premi recalled.

"When he was about to leave, he told me not to let the baby cry, and said he would return early.

Now, he will never come home again.

And, our children will grow up never knowing his love," Premi said.

Recollecting some strength, Premi said sometimes after Sushil had gone, she heard sounds of gunshots coming from the hill side.

hortly after, she was told that her husband and companions were attacked by Kuki militants on the hill.

She tried calling him over the phone but it went unanswered, Premi said.

"Now, he is gone leaving the three children.

The children will now have none to call father," Premi said, crying and cursing her fate.

Sushil's younger sister Rojibala said her brother told her to wait for him for dinner.

"He wanted us to wait and have dinner with him.

I'll not have dinner until he returns," Rojibala said with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"We are a poor family.

My brother was the breadwinner of the family.

With him gone, we have lost everything," she said.

"Is there nobody that can save and protect us? For how long do we have to watch our brothers and sisters getting killed by Kuki militants?" she asked.

Sushil's father, Deben, said losing his only son has devastated him and the family.

Deben said he was returned his son's mobile by the Assam Rifles through a person from the locality.

"How long shall we wait for the Government to act before we all get killed by Kuki militants?" Deben asked.