Guwahati: Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika arrived in Manipur on Saturday to assess the Tupul landslide which claimed at least 20 lives and left many others fearing they were still trapped inside the debris.
The minister visited Manipur on the instruction of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “Saddened to learn that 1 person from Morigaon, Assam lost his life, 5 are undergoing treatment & 16 still missing in the Manipur landslide. Cabinet colleague Shri @Pijush_hazarika will be reaching Manipur as early as possible to coordinate in rescue ops,” Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted on Friday.
Officials said on Saturday that there have now been 20 fatalities as a result of a major landslide at a territorial army camp in Manipur’s Noney district. Among the deceased are 15 jawans.
Officials reported that 44 persons are still missing, while 13 Territorial Army members and 5 civilians have so far been saved.
A landslide occurred on Wednesday night at the Territorial Army Camp nearby the Tupul yard railway construction site. Teams from the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, as well as the central and state disaster forces, are working to rescue people who are still trapped beneath the debris.