Manipur landslide: Death toll rises to 25, fresh teams deployed for search operation in Tupul

MANIPUR: The death toll in the Manipur landside went up to 25 as the search operation continued in Tupul on Saturday.
The landslide took place on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday near the company location of 107 Territorial Army of the Indian Army deployed near Tupul Railway Station for protection of the under-construction railway line from Jiribam to Imphal.
Fresh teams were also deployed on Saturday morning to augment the efforts in the search. A search and rescue dog is being employed to assist in the search.
Meanwhile, search for 12 missing Territorial Army personnel and 26 civilians is underway, reported ANI.

So far 13 Territorial Army personnel and five civilians have been safely rescued, while mortal remains of 18 Territorial Army personnel and six civilians have been recovered so far, the PRO said in a press statement.
The landslide triggered by incessant rains caused damage to the Tupul station building of the ongoing Jiribam - Imphal new line project, said the North-East Frontier Railway CPRO.
According to PRO defence, Guwahati, relentless search operations by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at the incident site at Tupul, Manipur continue.
Mortal remains of 14 personnel including 1 JCO and 12 other ranks of Territorial Army personnel were sent to respective home stations by two IAF aircraft and an Indian Army helicopter, while one mortal remain was sent to Kangpokpi Distt Manipur by road, after wreath-laying by GOC Red Shield Division and IG IGAR (South) at Imphal with full military honours today.
Similar befitting honours will be paid at respective home stations as per military tradition
Earlier on Friday, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh termed the landslide in Noney district the worst incident in the history of the state.
Chief minister Singh again visited the site to encourage the personnel engaged in rescue operations.
"It is the worst incident in the history of the state. We have lost 81 people's lives of which 18 including a territorial army (personnel) were rescued. Around 55 persons are trapped. It will take 2-3 days to recover all the dead bodies due to the soil," Singh said.