Meghalaya's lone family pray for departed souls

Shillong, Dec 26 (UNI) Meghalaya's lone tsunami affected family is struggling to come to terms after three of their family members were washed away by the giant tsunami waves on Marina beach in Chennai.

Today, the family members of late--Indanibhajanai Mawthoh (6) Mattilyngksiar Sawian (32) and Manikchand Roy Shangpliang(60) prayed in remembrance of the departed souls.

''I won't forget, and I don't want to see that havoc again,'' father of Indanibhajanai Mawthoh T Sawiantold UNI here today.

Two years ago, Mr Sawian was in Chennai with his father Manikchand, eldest sister Mattilyngksiar and his six-year-old daughter. He saw how his dear ones along with other people, were washed away by the giant waves.

''My family members are still in pain and we cannot believe that they have left this world in a span of minutes,'' Mr Sawain said.

Thanking Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Tamil Nadu government for paying a compensation of Rs one lakh each to the three victims, Mr Sawain said the Meghalaya government was yet to deliver the compensation as announced.

''We do not need the money as we did not seek it from the government,'' he said, adding that ''no amount of money can return the lives of his loved ones''.

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