The lone survivor of the massacre at Leithao village under Machi Police Station in Tengnoupal district, Manipur where 13 Meitei youths were ruthlessly killed by Kuki militants, has safely returned home and united with his family members on Monday.
Yengkhom Arnold Singh, 18, son of Y Binodchand Singh of Kakching Mayai Leikai, Manipur reportedly managed to escape the killings at Leithao village on December 4. Arnold has completed his 12th Class from South East Manipur College and is a gold medallist in Wushu at Punjab and Haryana state.
The details of his survival story are yet to be revealed.
It may be recalled that the mortal remains of 13 youths were found with multiple bullet wounds at Leithao village. They were suspected to have been killed during a crossfire with unknown groups.
Most of the individuals found dead reportedly wore civil dresses and had multiple gunshot wounds to the head. The bodies were found scattered in the village area, as per reports.
The 13 individuals are identified as Maisnam Sanajaoba son of M Kanhai of Yairipok; Konjengbam Medhabanta son of late K Binochandra of Sagolband; Oinam Loken son of O Shyamkeshor of Sagolband; Ningthoujam Tomba son of N Shyam of Kumbi; Mayengbam Roshan Meitei son of M Thoiba of Wangbal; Moirangthem Kishan Meitei son of M Kingkong of Khurai; Chongtham Lamdeinganba Chingu son of Ch Manihar of Sabungkhok; Laishram Arun son of Ibohal of Sekmaijin; Shouhaijam Krishnakanta son of Surchand of Kakching; Thingom Rokey son of Th Tomba of Torbung; Chingakham Nethei alias Roshan son of Ch Surchandra of Andro; Phanjoubam Noren alias Leibakngakpa son of Ph Dharmachandra of Andro; and Th Malemnganba, son of Malem of Irengband.
Grieving families, collectively deciding on funeral arrangements, opted for burial at Andro Khanarok, Imphal East. The procession paid homage, giving a hero’s salute as candles and Meiras illuminated the route from JNIMS to Andro via Thoubal.
During the assembly, the family members and well wishers rejected the notion of merely accepting compensation and job offers from the government in principle, emphasising the need to break this pattern to prevent further tragic losses in the future.
