Four children die during jungle inferno in Kangpokpi

KANGPOKPI (MANIPUR): In a tragic incident, four children — including three minor girls and a boy — died in a fire incident at K Moljol jungle of Kangpokpi district in the evening of November 25. The incident happened at around 7.30 pm when the thatched hut where they were staying caught fire. Three of the four children were siblings.

The children have been identified as Seiminlal Tuboi (10), Neichamkim Tuboi (7) and Hatchonghoi Tuboi (3), children of Lunkhohao Tuboi and Lamneilhing of K Phaijol village and the fourth victim, Lhingneihoi Kipgen (4), daughter of Lalkholun Kipgen and Rachel Chinhoichong of K Moljol village.

They were in the hut with their mother and grandmother. The hut caught fire when the children were sleeping inside. When the unfortunate incident occurred, their mother had gone to fetch some medicine from her village and the grandmother was away. While trying to save his sisters from the fire, the eldest of the four — Seiminlal Tuboi — suffered 90 per cent burn injury. He was rushed to district hospital Kangpokpi and later shifted to Raj Medicity in Imphal where he succumbed to the burn injuries the next evening.

According to K Moljol chief, Lalkholun Kipgen, the children were staying with their mother and grandmother at the jhum hut as the family members were cultivating peas in their farm. The last rites of the children were conducted at their respective villages following all formalities as per the Kuki customs and tradition by the villagers in the presence of area chiefs, police officials from Kangpokpi district, fire officials, local MDC, family elders and other civil bodies' leaders.

As no case was registered with the police, post-mortems were also not conducted. Many civil bodies of the district including KukiInpi, KSO Sadar Hills, TSA Sadar Hills, KSO Twibul Lhang, KukiInpi Twibul Lhang, KACA, Kangpokpi Town Committee, Kangpokpi Women Welfare Organization, Kangpokpi Youth Union, Keithelmanbi Youth Association have condoled the tragic death of the innocent children and expressed solidarity while praying for the bereaved families.

On receiving the news of the tragic incident, Chief Minister N Biren Singh also sent some officials to take stock of the situation while the local MLA Nemcha Kipgen expressed heartfelt condolence and shared the pain and grief of the bereaved families.

Meanwhile, father of the three children expressed profound gratitude to all including KSO Imphal, Kangchup local MDC S Damma Vaiphei, KATYO, KAWHR and others for their love and support. Various civil bodies of the district have also appealed Chief Minister N Biren Singh and authorities concerned to help the families and compensate the losses on humanitarian ground. (Agencies)

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