Manipur CM Calls Noney Landslide 'Worst Incident In The History Of State', Around 55 Still Trapped
Bodies of 15 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been recovered from the Manipur landslide site. CM N Biren Singh visited the disaster site near Tupul Railway Station in western Manipur.
New Delhi: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday called the landslide in Noney district, "the worst incident in the history of the state". The statement came as he visited the disaster site to encourage the personnel engaged in rescue operations. "It is the worst incident in the history of the state. We have lost 81 people's lives of which 18 including a territorial army (personnel) were rescued," he said. The landslide occurred on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday near the company location of 107 Territorial Army of the Indian Army deployed near Tupul Railway Station for protection of the under-construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.
As per the Manipur Chief Minister, "Around 55 persons are trapped. It will take 2-3 days to recover all the dead bodies due to the soil". "The Centre has also sent NDRF and Army personnel to carry out rescue operation. Vehicle movement is affected due to moisture in the soil which is causing delay. The rescue operation will take 2-3 more days," he added, as quoted by news agency ANI.
12 More Bodies Recovered, Death Toll Rises To 20: Indian Army
According to an official statement by the Indian Army, as many as 12 more bodies, including eight Army personnel and four civilians, were recovered during the search operation from the landslide incident site at Tupul in Manipur on Friday.
15 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been recovered from the Manipur landslide site. As per the Army's statement, the death toll in the Manipur landside reached 20 on Friday.
"Mortal remains of eight more Territorial Army personnel and four more civilians were recovered during the search on July 1. So far, the bodies of 15 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been recovered," Indian Army stated.
The Indian Army in cooperation with Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, SDRF, and NDRF rescued 13 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians. "Mortal remains of Territorial Army personnel are being despatched to respective home stations with full military honours. Search for 15 missing Territorial Army personnel and 29 civilians will continue unabated," Army stated.
According to the North-East Frontier Railway CPRO, the landslide in Noney was triggered by incessant rains and caused damage to the Tupul station building of the ongoing Jiribam - Imphal new line project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday reviewed the landslide situation caused due to incessant rainfall in Manipur with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and assured "all possible support from the Centre."
"I pray for the safety of all those affected. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," he wrote in a tweet.
(With Agency Inputs)
Top Headlines
