At least two persons were killed and over 50 others missing after a massive landslide hit the Indian Army company location along the Jiribam-Imphal railway line in Noney district, Manipur on Thursday. Rescue operation was underway, sources said.
As per the sources, the deceased were identified as personnel of the 107 Territorial Army of Indian Army, deployed near Tupul Railway Station in Noney district, Manipur for the protection of an under-construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.
The massive landslide has totally blocked the Ijei river, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the PIB defence wing said in a statement that scale rescue operations are in progress by columns of the Indian Army and the Assam Rifles. The available engineer plant equipment on site has been pressed into the rescue efforts, it stated.
As many as 13 persons have been rescued till 5.30 am. The injured individuals are being treated at Noney Army Medical unit. Evacuation of the critically injured personnel is in progress. The flow of the Ijai river has been affected due to the landslide, it stated.
Rescue operations are being hampered by fresh landslides and bad weather. However a concerted effort is underway to rescue the missing individuals. Army helicopters are on standby for the rescue, waiting for the weather to clear, it added.
It may be mentioned that the tragedy took place narely a day after Chief Minister N Biren Singh launched the Manipur Vision 2047 with the vision for a better Manipur. During the launch, he stated that a separate land policy for hill districts will be introduced.
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