Two corpses recovered, nine still missing
Rescue operaton to continue for 3 more days: Minister Awangbow
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 11 2022: With the recovery of two more corpses on the 12th day of the search and rescue operation at the landslide site in Makhuam village on Monday, nine bodies still could not be accounted for.

While the bodies recovered on Monday are suspected to be that of workers of Venkata Sai Construction (VSC), there is no report of bodies of the missing villagers.

More than 966 people including NDRF/SDRF, police, fire service, Territorial Army, 10 AR, CRPF and local volunteers conducted the search and rescue operation on Monday using an excavator, one bulldozer and 35 earth movers, during which the two corpses were detected.

Out of the 79 victims washed away and buried under the debris of landslide, 70 have been found till now.

Meanwhile, Water Resource and Relief & Disaster Management minister Awangbow Newmai said that the rescue operation of the victims of Makhuam landslide will continue for three more days but at the same time affirmed that the rescue operation will continue till all the victims are found.

The minister also chaired a review meeting with villagers and all the top officials of the rescue team, including additional chief secretary MH Khan, Noney deputy commissioner Haulianlal Guite and Noney SP M Gopaldas at the spot.

Awangbow further informed that considering the hardships faced by the officials and volunteers who have been carrying out the rescue and search operation for 12 days continuously, a review meeting will be held to discuss for providing additional force in the rescue team.

The minister also requested the Army, NDRF, SDRF and volunteers for full cooperation till the missing victims are found.

It may be mentioned that minister Awangbow has been supervising the ground zero of the landslide affected areas.

So far, only 18 injured persons, 13 Ter ritorial Army personnel and five civilians, have been rescued from the landslide-affected area.

The landslide at the under-construction railway station, including the 107 Territorial Army (TA) camp deployed in the area, at Makhuam in Noney district on June 30 is one of the deadliest incidents in Manipur in recent times.

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