Relief and joy as stranded students, workers from Manipur reach Nagaland

Reyivolü Rhakho/ Menuse-O Max Khieya
KOHIMA: Stranded returnees from Manipur recounted their experiences on their safe arrival to Nagaland at the Assam Rifles camp in the state capital on Sunday afternoon.

The Assam Rifles had initiated a rescue operation called “Operation Kohima Calling” under Brigadier Ved Beniwal and accordingly brought in Naga students and other workers stranded in Manipur.

Many returnees expressed overwhelming relief and joy on being able to return safely from the prevailing situation in Manipur.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Neivotuonuo Natalia, a fourth-year student studying Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), Imphal, said ‘We thought things will get better but with time, we realised that the situation started to get worse. As students, we felt safe inside the campus but when we heard the sounds from outside, there was a lot of fear and stress among our friends.’

When they reached the border and saw people welcoming them, Natalia said she felt at ease. She also expressed gratitude to people who gathered and greeted them while also providing refreshments.

Recounting the incident, Dr. Gihuto V Assumi, President of Nagaland Medicos’ Union, Imphal, said they thought the protest held on May 3 was peaceful but it turned violent.

He said they were hoping the government would control it and the situation would calm down but it went out of control, which was followed by imposing a curfew. Hence, they were stuck inside the campus.

‘At the same time, our church was burned down in front of us. There were gunshots everywhere so we were scared and contacted the state government, which responded. Through a joint effort of Assam Rifles and Nagaland Police, we are back in Nagaland safely.

‘The journey has been so pleasant for us and there has been no such untoward incident’, he added.

He also thanked the Mao Students’ Union for providing them with refreshments.

Monu, 31, a glass worker at Imphal, who lived around the epicentre of the violence, said he was scared to witness the situation and tried to return but couldn’t get a vehicle.

He said it had only been six days since he started working in Imphal along with his friends and therefore, did not receive anything from working. Based in Dimapur, he added that he had to find another job now.

Anungla Pongen, a parent of a RIMS student, said that for a few days, she could not sleep or eat due to tension. ‘I was so worried hearing the news of the situation’, she said, adding that her child would narrate that people were dying and churches were being burnt down.

‘My challenge to my child was to pray to God at that point of time’, she said and encouraged her not to worry as God was there to protect them.

“I couldn’t control my tears as I was overwhelmed with emotion seeing their faces,” she said while thanking God for the safe return of their children and acknowledging all the concerned who were involved in the rescue operation.

Akina P Jimo (24), an MBBS intern from RIMS, Imphal, who was posted at Bishnupur district hospital in Manipur, said she couldn’t communicate with her family due to the suspension of internet and was anxious about their food which could run out owing to the curfew imposed in the state following the violence.

However, unlike the other sensitive places, she said they were safe as personnel from Indian security forces were deployed to look after their well-being in the district hospital.

Jimo said she was ‘hoping for the best that the situation would get over soon’ while anticipating that they would be rescued and ferried home safely.

“I feel so relieved and safe now,” said Jimo, who came to the Assam Rifles camp holding her pet cat.

Khupo Kezo, a father, also expressed relief on the safe arrival of her daughter, Besükholü Kezo, a 3rd year MBBS student from RIMS.

He also urged the ethnic groups in the state to be “obedient” so that peace would prevail among them.

Nzamongi Tsanglao (21), another 3rd year student of BASLP from RIMS, while sharing her ordeal, said she became “mentally disturbed” after witnessing the hills being burnt down while hearing sounds of gunshots.

She thanked the team of Assam Rifles personnel including NST drivers, police forces for ferrying them all back home safe and sound.

Tsanglao expressed sadness to “see people from the same state fighting one another and shedding blood”.

Martin Konyak (22), another 1st year student of BASLP from the institute, said he “feels relaxed as there is a sense of safety” on returning to his state.

The student shared that they were only thinking about when they would be evacuated by the government after hearing the news from their seniors.

Konyak also conveyed a message to the people in Manipur to “understand each other’s opinion” so that the prevailing violence could be prevented from escalating further.

‘I am extremely happy and grateful for the team who took care of us and ferried us home safely,’ said Kivito Achumi, a MSc. final year student from Manipur University.

Unlike many others who went through difficult times, he informed that they weren’t much panic as they took shelter in an army camp.

Achumi also exuded hope that the ongoing issues in Manipur be resolved soon so that unity, peace and understanding prevail among the people.

Kikrusenuo Khezhie (22), a 3rd year MBBS student, expressed joy on reaching home after undergoing a challenging time in Manipur.

“Obviously for the first time, we were so scared,” Khezhie said.

She apprised about the safety assured to them as their campus was surrounded by the Indian security forces.

Khezhie also appealed to the ethnic groups in Manipur to “forgive each other” and desist from

Inspector General of Assam Rifles (IGAR) (North) interacting with this newspaper, said, “They are our own children; we are not different.”

“There is no greater joy to see the happiness in the faces of our children”.

Assuring that the same security and safety would be provided by the Assam Rifles to the Nagas who are still stranded in Manipur, Lakhera thanked all those responsible in the evacuating process, adding that they would continue to assign the same task to their officers and personnel for the safe passage to those who are yet to return home.

Moreover, Brigadier Ved Beniwal said, “I am elated that we could contribute in bringing the children back home and uniting the families.”

He informed that the next phase of evacuation would be made after acquiring more details of the remaining people who are stranded in different parts of Manipur.