- NET Web Desk
The mortal remains of five Army personnel, including a Lieutenant Colonel of the Territorial Army (TA) killed during the Manipur landslide, were sent to their respective home stations on Monday by an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
They were accorded full military honours at the Imphal International Airport by GOC Red Shield Division & IG IGAR (South) this morning.
Out of 80 confirmed victims, the death toll stood at 42 and 18 individuals have sustained injuries.
According to an official state government report, a total of 20 bodies still remain missing.
Referring the catastrophe as “worst incident in the history of Manipur” on Friday, the Manipur Chief Minister – N. Biren Singh noted that bulldozers and other engineering equipment are being used to make the incident site accessible and assist in the rescue efforts.
“We have lost 81 people’s lives of which 18 including a territorial army (personnel) were rescued. Around 55 persons are trapped. It will take 2-3 days to recover all the dead bodies due to the soil condition,” – stated the Manipur CM.
“A Thorough Wall Radar from Ladakh is also being inducted by air to detect the presence of personnel buried in the debris. A search-and-rescue dog is also being inducted,” – informed an official release.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, Assam Rifles, State Government teams, TA personnel, and Railways workers are involved into rescue operations at the landslide-hit Tupul station building. Fresh teams were deployed in the morning of July 2, to augment the efforts.
Its worthy to note that this massive landslide took place on Wednesday midnight, and struck the company location of 107 Territorial Army of Indian Army deployed near Tupul Railway Station for protection of under construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.
Besides, the landslide debris had also obstructed the Ezei River, which flows through Tamenglong & Noney Districts of Manipur.
