KOHIMA: A total of 553 people stranded in the violence-hit Manipur safely returned to Nagaland on Wednesday at the Assam Rifles camp in the state capital.
Following the successful evacuation of 676 people on May 7 in the first phase, the Assam Rifles undertook 'Operation Kohima Calling - II' as the second phase of evacuation in collaboration with the state government.
The operation, led by Colonel Umesh Sati, commandant, 1 Assam Rifles brought home 553 people, which included 261 members from Mon district.
Defence PRO informed Eastern Mirror that they deployed about 90 Assam Rifles personnel in 14 vehicles including trucks and buses; and along with an assistant and a driver, Chonpenthung Ezung, SDO(C) Sardar represented Kohima district administration in a vehicle.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Henthai Phom, Dy. SP Traffic Kohima, informed that along with ABI Mhabemo Ezung they led a combined state police force of 40 personnel from 10th NAP (IR) and 15th NAP (Mahila IR), as well as District Executive Force (DEF) Kohima with one bus and five light vehicles, while accompanying the AR personnel to rescue the people.
Sivinir Terhujah, station superintendent, Kohima NST, informed that they deployed 15 buses with about 30 drivers and mechanics to ferry people home from Manipur.
It was informed that the stranded people were picked up from Imphal, Churachandpur, Chandel, Kangpokpi, Imphal, Kakching, Chandel, and Thoubal among other places.
Speaking during the reception ceremony, Inspector General of IGAR (N) Maj. Gen. Vikas Lakhera, informed that a mass-scale rescue evacuation was carried out wherein most of the people were rescued amid the tense situation in Manipur.
While the total number of people evacuated stands at 1229 after the second phase, he stated that some people had chosen to remain in Manipur, while apprising that they were not receiving any more distress calls.
However, Lakhera assured that they would reach out to people if they needed help, while reaffirming their commitment to serving the people.
He attributed the success of the rescue operation to the concerted efforts made by the team from Assam Rifles, district administration, Nagaland State Transport (NST), and state police forces as well as civil society, among others.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Vice president of Angami Public Organisation (APO), Neivor Rutsa, expressed regret that some people took to the social media platforms claiming that the state government and Assam Rifles were not making any effort despite providing logistic support to the extent of risking their lives to bring people back safe and sound from Manipur.
‘While criticisms are necessary, they should be healthy instead of the negative ones,’ he maintained, adding that 'good news is viewed as bad news and vice versa' at present.
He appealed to the returnees to spread the news of good deeds shown to them by "good Samaritans" during their stressful times and throughout their journey home.
Jeiang Konyak, vice president of Konyak Union Kohima (KUK), expressed joy to have a fellowship, a 'gathering to smile and thank God.'
Stating that Assam Rifles have been helping the Konyak community in times of need, he sought the continued support of the security forces in the days to come. He also expressed hope for restoration of peace in Manipur so that many can go back to the state for different purposes.
Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Shanavas C; and David Mere, president of Angami Students' Union (ASU) acknowledged the yeomen services provided by the Assam Rifles and promoting peace in the region.
Host of army officers including Lt. Col. Bharat, Asst. Comdt. Tamang, Maj. Hashir Ahmad, Dy. Comdt. Vijay Pal and Maj. Naveen Adjutant were involved during the second phase of rescue operation.
Rev. Fr. Alex Gwatilo Tep, assistant priest of St. Francis de Sales (SFS), Kohima town while invoking God’s blessings on the occasion, prayed for peace upon Manipur and to set the state free from the chaotic situation and widespread violence.
He thanked God for bringing back the stranded people to the state safely through the efforts of the state government, Armed forces as well as civil society.