An inmate of a Rehab Centre at Imphal survives the jaw of death

With the escalation of violence in the Khamenlok area, under Saikul Sub-Division, Kangpokpi district, even inmates of a Rehabilitation Centre are not spared from the violence.

An inmate of Restore Rehabilitation Centre at Heibongpokpi in Imphal West had survived the jaw of death after he was left dead at Koirengei Hill.

The survivor, Lunkhosat Doungel (36), son of (L) Seigin Doungel, ex-servicemen, while narrating his ordeals said that I and my four other friends are staying at Restore Rehabilitation Centre at Heibongpokpi in Imphal West among many others.

He continued that for the past few days, we have been warned to leave the place by suspected Meitei militants, and out of fear we left the centre on June 13 morning at around 9:00 am.

Three of my friends, Haopu Haokip from Twisomjang village, Lelen Haokip from Songphel Mulam, and Letminthang from Lamka went the other way while I and my friend Thangtinlen Khongsai from Khongtah came together towards Zomi villa.

My friend Thangtinlen Khongsai was manhandled and captured in front of Classis Hotel and I was captured at Zomi villa by some miscreants dressed in black clothes.

I was told to sit in one of the two-wheelers and they brought me to Koirengei Hill where one of them told me that I used to send messages to the Kuki militants.

"Then, he asked me to turn back and shoot me", he added.

He continued that when I regained consciousness, I was lying on the ground and it was raining while adding that I felt pain in my neck, and when I touched it, I came to know that I was hit by a bullet.

I gathered all my strength and courage and ran and after a few hours, I met with a few people from Mapao village who helped me and I was evacuated to Kangpokpi today, he added.

He said I do not know the whereabouts of my other four friends after departing from the centre while adding that I don't know whether my friend Thangtinlen Khongsai who was captured in front of Classic Hotel would be alive or not.

According to Thangmin Doungel, the younger brother of Lunkhosat Doungel, his elder brother Lunkhosat Doungel was in the Rehabilitation Centre ever since they celebrated Christmas last year.

He said that we could not get in touch ever since the eruption of violence on May 3 while adding that we were shocked over the incident as we don't expect such violence upon Rehabilitation Centre inmates.

"Where is humanity gone, how even inmates of the Rehabilitation Centre not safe", wondered Thangmin before adding that it is not about my brother only, it is about humanity in Manipur.

The Restore Rehabilitation Centre is run by Pastor Raj, according to the survivor.