The Tragic Story of Surbala Devi, Killed in the Manipur Drone Terror

The morning of September 1st, 2024, began as usual for Surbala, a 31-year-old woman from the serene village of Phayeng. Her life revolved around her family—her husband Ingo and their two children, 14-year-old Mahesh and 8-year-old Rosia.

Ingo, a Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel with the Manipur Police, often had to be away from home, leaving Surbala to manage the household alone. Despite the challenges, she worked tirelessly, running a small piggery and brewing local rice liquor to help support the family.

That Sunday, Surbala was especially excited. She was headed to Mahesh’s boarding school, Kangleipak Modern School in Lairenkabi, to check his mid-term results. With hopes of him becoming a doctor, she always encouraged him to study hard. Knowing how much Mahesh loved chicken curry, she asked Ingo the night before to prepare his favorite dish. This act of love would become one of Mahesh’s final memories of his mother.

Early that morning, Surbala rode her two-wheeler to pick up Ingo from work. After he cooked the meal, they shared a simple lunch together at home—a rare moment of family bonding—before she dropped him back and continued her journey to the school, with Rosia and their nephew accompanying her.

When she arrived, Mahesh recalled, “Mother came around 11 am and asked about my results. I told her I secured the 6th rank. She said it was okay but encouraged me to try harder for the finals.” They enjoyed the meal she had brought, sharing a peaceful moment of togetherness in their often busy lives.

After lunch, Rosia and their cousin wanted to visit their grandmother in Koutruk. Though initially hesitant, Surbala agreed, assuring Mahesh she’d see him soon. Tragically, that would be the last time.

Later that day, Mahesh was on his way home, unaware of the devastating event. As they neared the house, he noticed a gathering of people dressed in white, their expressions somber. The painful reality struck him—his mother had been killed.

Surbala had been shot in the head during an attack in Koutruk, a place they thought was safe. Rosia, injured by a bullet in her hand, was hospitalized but recovering.

Koutruk, located at the foothills of Kangpokpi in the far western part of Imphal West district, had been a hotspot for ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Chin and Meitei communities. On that tragic day, suspected militants intensified the violence, using drones to drop grenades, followed by heavy gunfire.