Bullet Victims : Resilience and Compassion, Rebuilding Lives After Tragedy

Activity Serial No: LPT/ASN-1/002 | Project Type: Medical Treatment | Beneficiaries: Khaswrang Debbarma (16y) and Kabirmoy Debbarma (32y) | Address: Vill – Langkamura and Sankhola, Khowai Tripura, India | Beneficiary Number: 2

In the twilight hours of September 20, 2017, a clash unfolded in the Khowai area, escalating tension amongst the local public. In an effort to restore order, the police resorted to firing, tragically injuring numerous innocent civilians, including Khaswrang Debbarma (16y) and Kabirmoy Debbarma (32y) from Sankhola and Langkamura, Khowai, Tripura, India. These two youths bore the brunt of this unfortunate incident, suffering serious wounds that led them to GB Hospital, Agartala.

Hailing from humble backgrounds, the families of these young men faced significant challenges in securing the essential medical treatment required to heal their wounds. After a week of grappling with the aftermath of the incident, these families reached out to our organization for assistance.

Without a moment’s hesitation, our dedicated team promptly responded to the distress call. We visited the patients at GB Hospital, Agartala, and provided the necessary financial support to ensure their medical treatment could continue. Our commitment extended beyond finances; we sought to offer solace to these shocked families who had endured a horrifying ordeal.

This project presented a financial hurdle for our organization, which was in its nascent stages and lacked substantial funds. However, through the unwavering support of our members, volunteers, and the generosity of the general public, we were able to make this project a reality. We express our heartfelt gratitude to all those who contributed and supported our cause

Following a few days of medical care, Khaswrang Debbarma was discharged from the hospital, but Kabirmoy’s injuries were more severe, necessitating an extended hospital stay. In the second week of October 2017, in collaboration with another organization, we arranged for Kabirmoy to receive advanced medical treatment at NEIGHRIM Shillong, in the hopes of a full recovery.

Tragically, despite the best efforts of the medical team, Kabirmoy’s treatment did not yield the desired results, and he was discharged from the hospital with one leg paralyzed. This turn of events placed an enormous burden on his family, as Kabirmoy now faced the challenge of navigating life with a disability. His wife became the sole breadwinner for the family, and Kabirmoy found himself bedridden.

While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, we draw valuable lessons from this project. These lessons will serve as a guide for our future endeavors. It is during moments of adversity that we discover our resilience and our capacity for compassion. Despite the challenges, our commitment to extending a healing hand to those in need remains steadfast.