| Soldier killed in an avalanche in Kashmir gets a tear-soaked tribute in home state | ||
Imphal, Feb. 12 : For once, the olive uniform did not evoke ire as 200 people gathered to receive the body of a young soldier killed in an avalanche that struck his base at Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. When the flower-bedecked coffin finally arrived at Imphal airport this afternoon, tears flowed unceasingly as Manipur paid homage to sepoy H. Thangsunlal. A member of the second Assam Regiment based at Hyderabad, Thangsunlal was part of a 600-member group of army personnel undergoing training on high altitude warfare at Gulmarg. Thangsuanlal was one of the 17 soldiers who died in the avalanche. Just 24, the soldier had visited his village in September last year, when his daughter, Chinghunmawi, was born. He also has a two-and-a-half year-old son, S. Lalgousiam. The soldier’s widow, Chinglunniang Batei, who stood with tears in her eyes cradling her daughter at the airport, began wailing when the coffin draped in Tricolour was carted out. “Why did you leave me alone? How can I live without you?” she sobbed as relatives tried in vain to console her. Maj. Gen. D.S. Hooda, GOC of 57 Mountain Division, who came to the airport to receive the body, consoled her with promise of help from the army. “We share the grief and pain of the family and relatives at the loss of a brave soldier,” Maj. Gen. Hooda told reporters. Nearly 200 people came in three trucks and a bus from Churachandpur to honour the soldier. His body was taken to his hometown, New Lamka, in Churachandpur district where his last rites will be performed tomorrow. “He was a brave son of Manipur. We showed respect to him and prayed that his soul rests in peace,” said T. Manglien, one of those who had gathered at the airport to receive the body this afternoon. |
Manipur bids farewell to brave son
Posted by
Sinlung
