Bimolchandra Singh’s family pays tribute at Tulihal Airport in Imphal on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Imphal, Nov. 29: Wails filled the air as the body of Maibam Bimolchandra Singh, who was killed in the Mumbai terror attack, was carted out of Tulihal airport here this afternoon.

About a hundred mourners from Bimolchandra’s village, Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai, and the neighbouring village of Top Khongnagkhong gathered at the airport an hour ahead of the scheduled arrival of the Indian Airlines flight that brought the body from Mumbai.

A truck decorated with a life-sized photograph of Bimolchandra, was kept ready for the coffin.

Festoons reading: “Stand together against terrorism. We condemn the Oberoi hotel blast,” and “We condemn terrorism. Let’s stamp out terrorism”, were hung on either side.

Amidst all this, Bimolchandra’s mother Sanahanbi Devi stared blankly at her son’s photograph and muttered just one word — “Ibungo” (my son).

The body was taken from the airport to Top Khongnangkhong, where Bimolchandra grew up at the home of one his uncles, and then to his native village in Imphal East for cremation.

“He grew up at my house. He was a good sportsperson and also a good student. His death is a loss for the people of Manipur. Terrorism should be rooted out,” his uncle, Mahabir Singh, said.

Bimolchandra’s childhood friend Laishram Subrata Singh described him as a good sportsperson and friend.

The residents of Top Khongnangkhong and Ningthoubung Leikai have formed a joint action committee, which will submit a memorandum to chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh tomorrow.

The committee wants ex gratia for Bimolchandra’s family under the Centre’s scheme for victims of terrorism and also a job for Sandhyarani Devi, his sister.

Bimolchandra, 30, was an assistant manager (housekeeping) at the Oberoi Trident in Mumbai. He died in the terrorist attack on Wednesday night. Another Manipuri L.C. Mate, working at the same hotel, escaped unhurt.

Condolence: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi has condoled the death of journalist Sabina Sehgal Saikia, who died in the terrorist attack at the Taj hotel in Mumbai.

Former chief minister P.K. Mahanta also condoled her death.