8, including 2 Territorial Army jawans, killed, 50 reported missing in Manipur landslide, CM Biren Singh supervises rescue operation (VIDEOS)

Imphal: Eight persons including two Territorial Army (TA) personnel were killed, 23 rescued and around 50 people reported missing due to a massive landslide on Wednesday midnight in the Noney district.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh rushed to the spot and supervised the rescue operation.

He said the Government has mobilized the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in close coordination with Army and Railway Authorities.

N Biren said the Manipur government will provide all possible assistance. He asked all concerned officials and rescue teams to station in the affected area.

The government was preparing for any eventuality as over 50 persons were still missing. Rescue operations were going on but the terrain, muddy water and fear of any landslide were obstructing full rescue operations.

To the next of kin of those who died Rs 5 lakhs will be given and those injured will be provided Rs 50,000, Biren said. The state government has rushed in ambulances, health staff fearing the worst.

La. Ganesan, Governor of Manipur said he was, “deeply shocked to hear the sad news of landslide due to the intermittent rain in the State during the last more than a week.

He conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members. He prays to God for peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family members to bear these profound sorrows. Further, he also prays to God for speedy recovery of those injured persons.

The landslide also blocked the Ezei (Ijei) river which flows in Noney district about 50 km from Imphal.

The defence official said personnel of 107 Territorial Army of the Indian Army were deployed near Tupul Railway Station in Noney district, for the protection of an under-construction railway line connecting Jiribam to Imphal when the landslide hit the camp.

The available engineer plant equipment on site has also been pressed into the rescue efforts. All the injured persons were treated at Noney Army Medical unit. The critically injured personnel were airlifted to Imphal.

District officials said the flow of the river was obstructed by the debris, creating a dam-like storage condition that if breached will wreak havoc on the low-lying areas of Noney District Head Quarter.

A warning was issued to all those living downstream not to venture out and to evacuate to safe areas. Helplines were activated and relief materials were provided to the affected people. (UNI)