Manipur: Six killed, dozens missing as massive landslide blocks river's flow
Imphal, Jun 30: At least six people were killed and dozens were missing after a massive landslide occurred at a railway construction site in Manipur's Noney district, officials said on Thursday.'
The incident took place at Tupul yard railway construction camp on Wednesday night.
Six bodies have been retrieved so far and dozens are feared trapped under the debris, they said, adding rescue operations are underway.
The massive debris has blocked the Ijei River, creating a reservoir that may inundate low-lying areas.
An advisory issued by Noney deputy commissioner said, "Due to the unfortunate landslide which occurred at Tupul yard railway construction camp, where casualties are being reported and dozens buried alive, the flow of the Ijei River has also been obstructed by the debris, creating a dam-like storage condition which if breached will wreak havoc to the low-lying areas of Noney district headquarters..."
"...as the condition is still developing and the future is unknown, the general public is hereby advised to take their own precautions, and especially ensure children do not come out near the river. Whoever can evacuate are also advised to evacuate. Public are further advised to stay alert and be prepared for any assistance in case of rain condition deteriorate further," it added.
It also advised travellers to avoid National Highway 37 due to multiple road blockages.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the incident.
Shah said a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has reached the landslide site while two more teams are on their way.
"Spoke to CM Shri @NBirenSingh and Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw in the wake of a landslide near the Tupul railway station in Manipur. Rescue operations are in full swing. A team of NDRF has already reached the spot and joined the rescue operations. 2 more teams are on their way to Tupul," Shah tweeted.
The chief minister has called an emergency meeting to assess the situation.
"Called an emergency meeting to assess the situation of the landslide in Tupul today. The search and rescue operation is already underway. Let's keep them in our prayers today. Ambulances along with doctors have also been dispatched to assist in the operation," Singh tweeted.
Governor La Ganesan condoled the deaths and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
"The governor of Manipur is deeply shocked to hear the sad news of landslide due to intermittent rain the state...he conveys deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prays to God for speedy recovery of the injured persons," a statement from Raj Bhavan at Imphal said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
ED team assaulted on offshore casino vessel in Goa; staffers booked
Panaji (PTI): A team of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was allegedly assaulted by the staff of an offshore casino vessel in Goa, police said on Saturday.
Police on Friday registered a case against the director, two senior staffers of Cruise Casino Pride, and a few others for the incident that occurred on December 12, an official said.
According to the complaint lodged at Panaji police station, the staff of the offshore casino vessel allegedly assaulted Poluri Chenna Kesava Rao, an assistant director of ED, and his team and confined them in a room while they were searching the premises on Thursday afternoon, the official said.
He said casino director Ashok Wadia, senior staffers Gopal Ramnath Naik, Arati Raja and a few others were involved in the assault.
The accused threatened to cause injury to the complainant and his team and wrongfully confined them in a room while they were discharging their lawful duty in an official capacity, a spokesperson from the Goa police said.
He said the ED has also accused the casino director and staff of destroying the evidence they had collected during their search at the casino in connection with a money laundering case.
