Manipur violence: Stranded students running out of food; Nagaland govt. to begin evacuation

Dimapur/Kohima: As many as 209 students from Nagaland, who are stranded in violence-hit Manipur, are awaiting evacuation.

A medical student from Nagaland, who is stranded in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), told Eastern Mirror that about 150 medical students including those pursuing MBBS, dental and nursing courses; 59 students from Manipur University and Agriculture institute; NEET aspirants; and students taking coaching are currently stranded in Imphal.

He said that as many as 209 Naga students are stranded as per the information he has received.

He shared that they were taking shelter in a hostel at RIMS but the security is “very weak”.

He said that the situation in the state is not fine, as has been put in the media; the situation they are facing now and the amount of patients in the casualty ward is increasing as the mobs have started attacking educational institutions.

Casualties have been reported, said the source without providing the figures. He said the mob even came to RIMS on Thursday but no one was injured.

Staying in a hostel managed by the students themselves, he feared that the food will run out in two-three days as the rations have been closed and water supply stopped. He added that they were utilising the little water they had bought from departmental stores but it would not last long.

He said many students are terrified and they are trying their best to comfort them. However, he said they cannot do much if the state government does not give them any ‘conclusive decision’. The medical student said that they have approached the state government and the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) through the helpline numbers but have not received further response about evacuation till the time of filing of this report.

Evacuation to begin today

Meanwhile, an official told Eastern Mirror that the government of Nagaland will begin evacuation of 618 people from the state, who are stranded in Manipur, starting today, Saturday.

A state team to be accompanied by senior officers, police officers, and armed forces will go Manipur by road to bring back the stranded people as there were some issues with flight evacuation at the moment, the official said.

The decision was taken after a series of meetings over the matter on Friday, said the source.

Around 15 buses with over 50 capacities have been arranged to bring back stranded students, workers and others from Nagaland. 

State evacuation plans were not disclosed to the stranded students to avoid any eventualities. However, leaders of each groups in colleges were made aware of the plan, it was informed.

Home Department had earlier said in press release that the government of Nagaland was in touch with its counterpart in Manipur to ensure the safety and security of its citizens stranded in Imphal.

It added that the state government had decided to initiate the evacuation in a day or two and that “transport arrangements have been tied up though the movement is yet to start as the security and a few logistic details are yet to be finalised in coordination with various agencies in Manipur”.

Helpline numbers

• State Police Control Room: 0370 2242511
• Fax: 0370 2242512.
• WhatsApp: 08794833041
• Email: spcrkohima@gmail.com
• NSDMA: 0370 2381122/ 2291123