The aftermath of ethnic violence in Manipur continues to unveil chilling stories of unimaginable horror. Just days after shocking visuals of tribal women being paraded naked by a mob of men surfaced on social media, yet another tragic incident has come to light.
In Serou village, located in the Kakching district, a heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded when an armed group locked the 80-year-old wife of a revered freedom fighter inside her house and set it ablaze. This distressing event was reported to the Serou police station and occurred during the early hours of May 28 amid widespread violence and gunfire.
Once a picturesque location, Serou, situated 45 km away from Imphal now stands witness to the aftermath of the devastation, with burnt houses and bullet-riddled walls as painful reminders of its former tranquility before May 3.
The clashes in Serou were part of a violent conflict between the valley-majority Meiteis and the hill-majority Kuki tribe, centreed around the Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status.
The victim, an 80-year-old woman named Ibetombi, was the beloved wife of the late freedom fighter S Churachand Singh, a respected figure honored by former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Her tragic fate was sealed as the attackers locked her inside her home before setting it ablaze.
Premkanta, aged 22 and Ibetombi’s grandson, bravely shared a heartrending account of the incident with NDTV. Narrowly escaping death, he bore the scars of bullets that grazed his body during his courageous attempt to rescue his grandmother. Ibetombi’s last words were a plea for her family’s safety, urging them to run and return for her later. The marks on Premkanta’s body serve as poignant reminders of the peril they faced that fateful night.
Knowing her advanced age and limited mobility would slow her down, Ibetombi selflessly urged her family to prioritise their safety during the hail of bullets outside, which posed a grave danger for slower movers like her.
Approximately two months later, Premkanta returned to the ruins of his family home, where broken wood and metal now lay where cherished memories once resided. Among the debris, he discovered a prized photograph, held dearly by Ibetombi – a picture of her late husband, the freedom fighter, alongside former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
Burnt bones are still scattered amidst the rubble where Ibetombi’s bed once stood. Serou market, once vibrant with life, now lies desolate as its inhabitants have fled, leaving behind an eerie silence.
Security forces remain on high alert to prevent any further confrontations between the two communities. Villagers have imposed movement restrictions to safeguard themselves from potential attacks, with signs posted urging outsiders to stay away from Serou after 6 in the evening.