Manipur Landslide: Three dead, 17 still missing from Assam

Morigaon: At least three youths from Assam, including two from the Dima Hasao district, have been killed in the massive landslide in the Noney district of Manipur, while 17 others from the Morigaon district continue to remain missing. The overall death toll in the incident touched 21 on Friday with the recovery of 13 more bodies.

As many as 23 youths from the Kushtoli area under the Lahorighat block were working in the railway construction site at Tupul when they were hit by the severe landslide on Thursday night. Gopal Phukan was killed while five others sustained injuries, while 17 others went missing. The youths reportedly went to Manipur 25 days ago to work in the railway project.

On the other hand, two jawans from the Dima Hasao lost their lives at in the landslide. They have been identified as Priyam Dutta (23), son of Prasun Kanti Dutta of Kashipur village near Lower Haflong in Dima Hasao, and Boloram Sarma (30), son of Bindu Sarma of Umrangsu.

As per instructions of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika went to the site of the disaster today to take stock of rescue operations.

Agencies add: Meanwhile, 50 more people are still missing in the landslide-hit area, officials said.

A government report said that more than 80 persons are feared to have been buried alive after the massive mudslide.

Officials said that at least 23 others were injured even as rescue operations by the Army, Central and State agencies were on at full pace.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh accompanied by top Army and civil officials visited the disaster site at Tupul on Friday.

Biren Singh tweeted: "In the landslide affected sites of Tupul, Ministers of the State Government, local MLAs and officials are also camping to oversee the rescue operation. The loss of lives, including our armed forces personnel, is deeply saddening. We still have over 50 missing persons to be found. Visited the site in Tupul which was severely devastated by the landslide yesterday and took stock of the rescue operations. Heavy machinery along with 'Through Wall Imaging Radar' has also been deployed to expedite the operation."

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