Aizawl: Touched by the suffering of the victims, Indian professional footballer Jeje Lalpekhlua has caught people by surprise by donating Rs 1 lakh to and raising funds for the victims of the Durtlang building collapse that left at least three people dead on Tuesday evening.
The 28-year-old football star from Mizoram’s Hnathial town on Wednesday took to Facebook and Instagram initiating a crowdfunding campaign under the banner “JJ12 Relief Fund” to assist the victims and survivors of the mishap.
“Mizoram has faced a devastating landslide on 2 July, 2019 inside the complex of Basic Service for Urban Poor Program(BSUP) , leading to disruption of buildings and causing death and injuries to many of the urban vulnerable community.If anyone willing to step out for this families kindly send a message telling your name and contact number to Jeje Lalpekhlua (Facebook) and JejeFanai(instagram). Let me start this charity by donating Rs.1 lakh,” Jeje posted on his Facebook and instagram pages.
He said the amount will be handed over to Durtlang Leitan branch of the Young Mizo Association (YMA).
“My heart goes to the victims and other occupants, who suffered hardship due to the colossal damage. Let us join hands together to help them,” said the Chennayin striker.
He also urged concerned authorities to investigate and take action against people responsible for the collapse as the building blocks have been allegedly in precarious condition since the very beginning.
Setting an example of building love for others in tough times, this footballer with just the help of social media has managed to grab the attention of the people all over the country.
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His aide Vanlaldingpuii said that as much as Rs 2.6 lakh has been collected through the crowdfounding till Thursday. She said that Jeje has the heart for the poor and always wanted to help others.
The crowdfunding is open for a week after which the accumulated fund will be handed over to the victims and survivors through YMA,she said.
Born in 1991, Jeje is an Indian professional footballer who plays for Chennayin and India national football team. He is the second highest Indian goalscorer in the Indian Super League and was named IFPAI football player of the year in 2016.
At least three people, including two minors, were killed and 11 others injured, when three buildings collapsed due to massive landslide triggered by heavy down pour on Tuesday evening.
The buildings located at Durtlang leitan area in northern part of Aizawl were part of housing complex constructed under the Centre’s housing scheme for poor people.
The government has decided to constitute an enquiry commission to launch technical investigation into the collapse.
