Manipur family displaced during conflict, loses soldier son in Jammu and Kashmir's flood tragedy

A story of resilience and sacrifice has ended in tragedy for a family already scarred by conflict. Jimmy Ngammminlun Mate, a soldier of the 5th Assam Regiment and a native of Sahumphai, Manipur, lost his life after being swept away by the swollen Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir on the night of August 28.

According to army officials, Jimmy’s unit was compelled to retreat when their post was engulfed by sudden floodwaters. Amid the darkness and chaos, the young soldier was caught in the river’s fierce currents. For nearly 24 hours, rescue teams combed the turbulent waters until his body was recovered on August 29 at around 3:00 pm.

Jimmy’s death carries a painful double blow for his family. His parents and siblings, displaced by the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur, have been living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in NS Khojamphai Village, Churachandpur, Manipur. The Mate family, who had already lost their home to the violence, now mourn the loss of their son, a young man who chose to serve his nation despite his own hardships.

His life, marked by displacement and service, ended with a tragedy that underscores the compounded suffering of Manipur’s displaced communities. 

Jimmy Ngammminlun Mate’s journey from surviving conflict at home to falling victim to nature’s fury far away, reflects the burden borne by countless displaced families.

As the nation mourns his loss, Jimmy’s name will be remembered not only as that of a soldier who served with honor but also as a symbol of the resilience and sacrifice of a community still waiting for justice, dignity, and recognition.