"Proud of husband's sacrifice, worried about kids"
Source: Chronicle News Service / Mission Oinam

Imphal, September 14 2023: "I do not have any remorse on my husband sacrificing his life for safeguarding the territory of Manipur.

He was a true patriot in his heart and I feel proud of his sacrifice" .

These are the words of Laipujam ongbi Premi, the 25-year-old widow of Laipujam Inao (24), who was killed in the present crisis.

Premi is now living with her two children, Laipujam Premlata (5) and Laipujam Lamnganba (2) at the couple's house at Takhel, a small village in Imphal East district.

As she continues to live with pride for her husband's sacrifice with the legacy he left behind, Premi could not help but worry about the future of her children as she is living with an ailment and could not do physically demanding jobs.

Her husband Inao was the second child and only son of Laipujam Premjoy (49) and Ranjana (46) .

He has an elder sister and a younger sister.

He used to work in a cement shop at Khurai Kongpal in Imphal East district and he died after being hit by a bullet from armed Kukis at Naransena in Bishnupur district on August 29 .

"It was on a fine Wednesday afternoon on August 23, when he came back from the shop and gave me Rs 400 asking me to manage for a few days with the cash saying that he will join the village defenders for a few days.

He took blessing from his mother.

Just before leaving, he told his son that he will buy him a toy gun when he returns.

Unknowing to his impending fate, he returned as a lifeless body," said Premi with tearful eyes holding her two-year old son Lamnganba.

Talking to The People's Chronicle, Premi said that her husband would often go out to join village volunteers in defending their villages from persistent attacks by Kuki militants.

He also went to Khamen-lok.

He also used to ferry women in a pickup truck from the shop whenever there was a mass protest, she recounted.

"In the initial days, I used to ask him not to go since our children are still small and if anything happen to him, they will become fatherless.

However, he would ignore the requests saying that he will have to defend the territory of his motherland.

He was a true patriot in his heart and often participated in public movement.

After a few tries, I stopped asking him but rather supported his decision," Premi narrated.

After he left home on August 23, Inao often called her over the phone and they would talk.

On that fateful day, as if it as God's will, he video-called her and enquired about the well-being of the children.

It was around 11 am, as his daughter had gone to school, he could not talked to her but he had video chat with his son and told him that he will return that day.

Unfortunately, that was the last call she received from him, said Premi, who was weeping all the while.

"Even if we have a single meal, we should make our children successful persons.

I will not let my children have the remorse of not getting proper education like I did," Inao used to say these words very often to Premi.

"Today, he has gone without fulfilling his promises and his words continue to echo in my mind.

I have no remorse when he sacrificed his life for the motherland but I am worried if I might not be able to fulfil the dreams we weaved together for our children," Premi said.

"My daughter is studying in class Nursery only, and my son is yet to attend school.

He used to provide for the family by working in a cement shop.

I have asthma and I cannot do physically demanding work.

I am worried if I might be able to support my children's education.

I am not sure what would I do to keep the dreams alive.

These questions haunt my mind...I am hoping that the government provides some assistance so that my children could continue and complete their education, " Premi said with an appeal to the government.

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