Tupul landslide rescue operation to suspend on Wednesday

Imphal: Manipur relief and disaster management minister Awangbow Newmai on Tuesday said the Tupul landslide rescue operation will continue till Wednesday evening and that will be followed by a review meeting to decide further course of action.

The minister made the remarks while monitoring the ongoing search operation works at Tupul railway construction landslide hit site, Makhuam village, Noney district.

No body were found on thus day while 56 bodies of the victims were recovered till date while five were still missing on the 20th day of the joint operation rescue work.

A review meeting was held at Noney DC Office’s conference room to decide on the status of the search operation works whether to continue or not. We have decided to call off the search operation officially by tomorrow evening, the Minister informed during the meeting. But the final decision will be taken after consultation with the chief minister, he assured.

Awangbow said the government has put in concerted efforts in the rescue and search operation of the missing people. During the visit, he extended his gratitude to the rescue team, civil and voluntary organisations and the local villagers who are involved in the search operation for their relentless and tireless efforts. He thanked the railway officials and the district administration for the donation given to the relief committee.

“I pray and wish that such calamity does not again happen in our area,” the minister said.

The village authority of Makhuam had also placed a charter of demands to the concerned state and railway authorities for needful compensation and other charitable provisions. The memorandum includes monetary compensation, suitable employment to the existing family members and creating a suitable dumping site to maintain ecological balance amongst others.

HAC  hairmain MLA Dipu Gangmei, additional chief secretary M.H.Khan, DC Noney H.Guite, SP Noney M Gopaldas, ADC Noney S.Khapudang, brigadiers of the Assam Rifles, engineers from the railways, SDRF, NDRF and CRPF officials were also present at the meeting.