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Biren Singh with the India naval diving team in Imphal on Saturday.[/caption]
Dimapur, May 4 (EMN): Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh on Saturday lauded the efforts of the India naval diving team, deployed in an operation in retrieving the three missing tourists, who went missing after their boats capsized at Chadong tourist site on April 28.
Singh interacted with the team and extended his appreciation for their assistance and efforts in retrieving the missing bodies.
The naval team consisting of 14 members who reached Manipur on May 1 from Vishakhapatnam undertook extensive search using site scan sonar and grapnels for two days and recovered the bodies of three missing persons.
A five-day search operation was jointly conducted by the naval divers, NDRF in association with other stake holders –SDRF, state police and Fire Services department.
It may be mentioned that, on April 28 three persons went missing when two boats carrying 12 persons were capsized in the reservoir of the dam when a strong storm raged across the state.
Maphou Dam is part of the Thoubal Multipurpose project which assures to augment water for irrigation and drinking water for entire Imphal Valley. As per an official estimate, 1215 hectares of land have been submerged by the construction of the dam. Based on a survey conducted by NGOs more than 8000 tribals (and non-tribals) in 22 villages have been affected by the dam.