Assam Rifles airlifts stranded people; ensures trucks carrying essentials reach Imphal

DIMAPUR: The Assam Rifles (AR) on Monday airlifted as many as 96 stranded people from Phaisenjang, near the Indo-Myanmar Border in Chandel District, Manipur.

The Air Force MI-17 helicopters has to be used for evacuating the stranded people, who were rehabilitated at an AR camp since the onset of clashes on May 4, due to the remoteness of the location, according to an update from PRO (Defence), Kohima and Imphal.

The defence PRO also updated that the Jwalamukhi-based Assam Rifles Sector has opened another axis for passage of supplies like ration and medicines to the violence-affected civilians through NH-37 as the unrest has affected the movement of civil trucks carrying essentials to the Imphal valley via Kangpokpi district.

It said a total of 8 columns of AR have been deployed on NH-37 to ensure safe passage and successfully bring supplies to violence-hit Imphal.

In another update, it said measures have been taken to address the fears of the people, especially those staying in fringe vulnerable areas outside Imphal; over 128 Army and Assam Rifles columns, unmanned aerial vehicles and RPAs have been relentlessly engaged in area domination, including in Indo-Myanmar border to ensure early restoration of normalcy and deter various insurgent groups from taking advantage of the prevailing situation.