Six including bridegroom killed in road accident

From Our Correspondent

THOUBAL| Nov 25

In a tragic accident, a bridegroom returning from mangani chakouba function died along with five of his friends today in a roadway accident where their vehicle crashed headlong with a 407 Tata mini freight vehicle, both at full speed.

One amongst them who survived the accident is under critical condition at Shija Hospital.

The tragedy occurred today around 2 pm at the roadway connecting to Yairipok from Thoubal near Somendrosana Higher Secondary School, Thoubal Kshetri Leiakai Moirangpali under Thoubla police station.  

The bridegroom who passed away today was Maibam Meghachandra, (18) son of Sanatomba from Khekman Maning Leikai and the remaining people who were also killed in the accident were      Thongam Jupiter, (17) son of Ingocha, Asem Amujao, (17) son of Ibopishak, Maibam Prabin, (17) son of Kumar; three of them hailed from khekman, and  Mutum Malemnganba,(17) son of Bulando, Thoubal who was from Ningombam and lastly, Md. Apik,(17) from Keibung.

Maibam Parbin and Makemnganba succumbed to their injuries after being admitted to Shija Hospital while rest of the four died at the spot. The driver of the car, Okram Premkumar (18), son of Noren from Thoubal Okram is now fighting for his life under critical condition.

Reports from the site said today being the fifth day after his marriage; it was the Mapam Chakouba day for the deceased Meghachandra.

The bride hails from Yairipok Wangkhem Huidrom Leikai. After the ‘Chakouba’ ceremony ended, the bridegroom and his friends were returning to his home at Khekman.

The Chevrolet UVA car (MN05-A-7065), they were riding from Thoubal towards Yairpok crashed at full speed with the Tata 407 (MN04-9801) that was coming towards Yairipok.     

After the accident occurred, Thoubal police along with the people dragged out the dead bodies and the survivor from the car, and they were brought to district hospital, Thoubal. The doctor declared and certified that four of them including the bridegroom as brought dead. The remaining three were further referred to Imphal. Amongst them, M. Prabin and M. Malemgnanba later succumbed to their injuries at Shija Hospital. The drive of the car, Okram premkmar is the last of the survivor.

A case has been taken up by Thoubal police. The driver of the 407 is still absconding and the police are now working on the case.

It may be mentioned here that Mangani chakkouba, is part of the extended Meitei marriage ritual, where the bride and groom are invited to the bride’s parental home for a feast on the fifth day of their marriage.