A Bnei Menashe Casualty Interred Today at Lamka

Joel Jamkhogin Baite.

(December 20, 2023) After an agreement with government authorities, the ITLF (Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum) has taken the bodies of Kuki-Zo killed in the 8 month long conflict from morgues including those from Imphal and Lamka hospitals. It includes the remains of Joel Jamkhogin Baite, 42, who was killed in early part of the conflict. He is a member of the Bnei Menashe Beit Shalom community, Lamka. The chairman of the BMC-I, Mr WL Hangshing had sent a letter (a copy is attached below) to the ITLF thanking them for the honor bestowed on the departed and ensuring a dignified burial for all, including Baite.

According to reports, 61 bodies lying in various hospital mortuary all over Manipur of the Kuki-Zo community have been flown home to be given a fitting and dignified burial as had been ordered by the Indian Supreme Court. Baite was one of the fatalities in the violence that had broken out in Manipur since the 3rd of May this year. The dead were given gun salute and full honors as per tribal customs.

A copy of the chairman's letter.

Full honor for the dead.

Operation Exodus Aid Distributed

(December 18, 2023) An aid shipment for B’nei Menashe driven from their homes by Manipur’s recent ethnic violence, consisting of 135 blankets, 60 mattresses, and 60 mosquito nets, arrived in Ma'oz Tsur, Lamka. The donor is Operation Exodus, a pro-Zionist Christian organization based in the Indian state of Kerala and dedicated to assisting the Aliyah of Jews to Israel. The relief materials were distributed there by Degel Menashe and the B’nei Menashe Council to needy B’nei Menashe families at Lamka and at Rengtekawn, MIzoram. The relief camp at Thingdawl, Mizoram had received similar aid earlier in August.

A simple ceremony was held in the presence of more than 100 members of the community at Ma'oz Tsur, the BMC-I, vice chairman, Nehemiah Haokip and secretary, Yoel Sehmang Haokip. Secretary Yoel Sehmang Haokip expressed his gratitude to Operation Exodus and Pastor Abe Oomen for coming to the aid of the community in such a critical time with an onset of cold winter months. ''It will warm homes and hearts. May the Almighty bless them abundantly'', he added. 

Aid materials from Operation Exodus at Ma'oz Tsur.

Secretary Yoel Haokip helps with the distribution.

Some of the B'nei Menashe women take a moment to pose with their presents.

Children, women enjoy a moment of happiness with promise of a warm winter.

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