Kuki civil society organisations and residents of a remote village in Manipur’s Ukhrul district came together to pay tribute to a Border Security Force (BSF) constable who lost his life in a recent incident of firing. The gathering, marked by a candlelight vigil and silent procession, reflected both grief and a strong appeal from the community to honour the constable’s sacrifice without distortion.
The constable, Mithun Mandal, died on April 10 after being struck by a stray bullet during an exchange of fire between suspected Kuki-Zo and Tangkhul Naga village volunteers. Officials said the incident took place at around 4:45 pm at Mongkot Chepu village under Litan police station limits in Ukhrul district. The firing reportedly involved suspected Kuki-Zo volunteers from Mongkot Chepu and Tangkhul Naga volunteers from Shikibung village.
In the days following the incident, local civil society groups under the banner of the Kuki CSO Working Committee (WCKCSOs), along with the village authority, organised a solemn tribute for the slain BSF jawan. The programme was held at Mongkot Chepu, the same village where the incident occurred.
The tribute began with a silent procession from a local church. Villagers, community leaders, and members of various Kuki organisations walked together in silence, carrying candles as they moved towards the spot where the constable was fatally injured. The atmosphere remained calm and emotional, with people choosing silence over slogans.
At the site, a brief programme was held. It was attended by village elders, church representatives, and members of Kuki civil society groups, including KSO-Ukhrul and Kuki Inpi-Ukhrul. Those present stood together to observe a minute of silence in memory of the deceased constable.
Several people at the gathering spoke about the incident and the loss. Many described Mandal as a brave man who lost his life while on duty. Some villagers expressed their feelings in simple words, saying he “took the bullets meant for us,” a statement that reflected the sense of loss and gratitude among those present.
Addressing the gathering, Mercy Khongsai, Vice President of KSO-Ukhrul, spoke about what she described as confusion and differing accounts of the incident in some sections of the media. She said that, for the people who were present in the area, the reality of what happened was clear.
“We know our truth. He stood between us and death,” she said, urging that the constable’s actions should be remembered with honesty and respect.
The vigil was not only a tribute but also a message from the community. Leaders of the Kuki CSO Working Committee said in a statement that any attempt to misrepresent or weaken the significance of the constable’s sacrifice would be strongly opposed. They said his courage and selfless act should be acknowledged in the right spirit.
The village authority also issued a separate statement after the programme. It said the entire community would remain “forever indebted” to the BSF constable. The statement added that his death was not just a loss for one region or one group, but something that went beyond boundaries of place and identity.
