Broken since losing her only son, woman pleads for justice
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 09 2026: Mother's day is here to honour mothers and celebrate maternal bonds, but for many who have lost children in the violent Manipur conflict, the day is yet another reminder of a long and enduring absence -- "a piece of our hearts." Every mother's day, Sanjitkumar would buy gifts for her mother and cut a cake.

Now, this remains a memory that reminds Purnimashi of the son she misses everyday.

Saikhom Sanjitkumar, alias Subol, was 28 when he was gunned down by Kuki militants on July 11, 2023 .

Sanjitkumar was the middle of three siblings, and the only son of Saikhom (ongbi) Pumimashi and Saikhom Rocket, a retired soldier, of Uripok Achom Leikai.

Broken since losing her only son, woman pleads for justice

On May 3, 2023, violence erupted in Manipur with armed Kuki protesters and militants attacking villages in the border area between Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts.

The following weeks and months saw intensified violence and gunfights, and villages in the peripheries of the valley were facing constant militant attacks.

On July 10, 2023, Sanjitkumar volunteered to guard Kadangband Part-I, a village in the periphery of the valley.

A day later, he was killed while defending the village from Kuki militants' attack.

Sanjitkumar was struck by a bullet which pierced his heart.

"My son would still be alive and among us if there were no conflict," Pumimashi said, tears welling up her eyes.

Sanjitkumar studied upto Class X .

He quit his studies to support his family.

He worked as a house-painter, a lineman for cable TV, and as a masonry.

"Every mother's day, he would buy me gifts and cut a cake.

Now all that is left is the memory and pain that he is gone forever and never coming back," Pumimashi said.

The Manipur conflict has snatched away children from mothers' bosom.

Many sons and daughters have been killed, and they are never coming back, she said.

Recently, two children -- a 5-year-old boy and 5-month-old girl -- were killed in a bomb attack at Tronglaobi on April 7 .

The Government, if it has respect for mothers, then it must deliver justice, Pumimashi said.

Even as the conflict with the Meiteis has not been resolved, Kuki militants have now attacked the Tangkhul Nagas and many innocent people have been killed.

The Government must do what is expected of it and bring peace to Manipur, she said.

"We [mothers] who have lost children in the conflict want justice.

We don't want others to suffer a similar fate," Pumimashi said.