Manipur Landslide: "No money!" Cachar man's last rites performed in Manipur, family cries for help

Following the incessant rain, a landslide occurred in Manipur’s Tupul demolishing a camp setup to guard the railway construction site. The landslide in the Noney district has claimed at least 42 lives. The search and rescue operation is still on and more bodies are likely to be recovered from the debris.

A Borkhola Cachar resident, Dhiren Kuri, was also missing since Thursday. His wife spoke last with him on Wednesday night following which they could not establish contact. A missing diary was lodged at the Borkhola Police Station on Friday. However, the devastating news had reached the family on Saturday itself. Dhiren’s dead body was recovered from the debris, they were told.

Dhiren Kuri worked as a cook/helper at the construction camps. He was one of them who served the jawans food on a daily basis. Today, his family members informed that the last rites were performed in Manipur itself as the family could not afford to transport the body to Borkhola. The family members said that they have seen video of the last rites and that was enough for them as they do not have the propensity to pay for anything else.

Dhiren Kuri was the only breadwinner in the family and he leaves behind his wife and three children. “The youngest son is very unwell, in fact, they have borrowed money from all quarters to save the child. Four-month-old boy needs constant medical attention,” said a neighbour.

The neighbour pleaded to the administration for help. “His wife is not medically sound and so cannot earn a livelihood. With the death of Dhiren Kuri, a dark cloud of uncertainty looming large over the family and in such a scenario, it is only the administration who can help them out.”