Manipur landslide: Five still missing; government plans to end search operation

Our Correspondent

Imphal, July 19 (EMN): Manipur Relief and Disaster Management minister Awangbow Newmai on Tuesday said that the search operations at Noney landslide area will continue till July 20 evening, which will be followed by a review meeting to further decide on the operation.

Newmai said this while speaking to media after a review meeting at Noney district headquarter and after monitoring the ongoing search operation works at Tupul railway construction landslide hit Marangching village area.

Though the meeting decided to call off the ongoing operation, he said, the final decision would be made in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Awangbow said that the government has put in concerted efforts in the rescue and search operations of the missing persons.

During the visit, he extended his gratitude to the rescue team, civil and voluntary organisations and the local villagers who were involved in the search operation for their relentless and tireless efforts.

The village authority of Marangching had chartered demands to the state government 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.

In the day’s search, which entered the 20th day, no bodies were recovered. As a result, of the 79 confirmed victims, 56 bodies have been recovered, 18 undergoing treatment while 5 are still missing.

It may be mentioned that nearly 500 personnel across multiple centre and state departments besides machinery have been involved in search work at the Manipur landslide site since July 1.