Manipur: Dry run conducted ahead of polls

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Feb. 24 (EMN): A dry run for urgent evacuation of polling and security personnel by helicopter from remote locations for immediate medical care was conducted in poll bound Manipur on Thursday.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Naorem Praveen Singh, Officer on Special Duty (Election) Ganesh Nagarajan and State Nodal Officer (Health) Dr. Tomcha Khuman were present during the day’s dry run for evacuation of polling and security personnel.

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According to official sources in Imphal, the dry run was started after the helicopter took off from Bir Tikendrajit International Airport near Imphal to Kangla Fort helipad in the heart of Imphal and from Kangla to Parbung in the electoral district of Churachandpur which borders Mizoram and Myanmar.

Later, it returned to Kangla Fort helipad again and then flew to Kasom Khullen in Ukhrul district before it returned to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport via Kangla Fort helipad in Imphal.

As per the medical emergency response plan, the helicopter, after airlifting casualty polling officials and security personnel from remote locations, will land at Kangla Fort helipad in Imphal.

Two helicopter rapid response teams -- one each from Imphal East and Imphal West districts -- will be stationed with full preparedness for evacuation of casualties to hospitals. The composition of the helicopter rapid response team consists of four doctors, six nurses and six paramedics.