In a tragic incident of nature taking toll on human, a massive landslides along NH 53 today killed six personnel of Indian Reserved Battalion (IRB) and Manipur Rifles even as seven personnel were critically injured.

According to police report, the convoy led by AC 2nd IRB S Ingo was heading to Jiribam district headquarters to escort loaded freight trucks and oil tankers.

They had just reach Sinam Khul near Kotlen about 25 km from Imphal when the landslide struck them hit the bus in which they were travelling.

The bus was travelling with five commando teams and some personnel on other vehicles as Road Opening Party (ROP) .

The six ill fated personnel who were killed in the tragic accident were Havildar Yaima of 5th IRB, rifleman Diamond of 5th MR, rifleman Surchandra of 5th MR, rifleman Maradona of 6th IRB, rifleman Lakshman of 8th MR and rifleman Nasir Khan of 2nd MR.The injured personnel were 1st MR rifleman T Sandang Maring (31), 3rd IRB personnel Takhellambam Sushil (23) of Thoubal Athokpam Mayai Leikai, 2nd MR rifleman Ningrei (42) of Nunghu, 3rd IRB rifleman Thaimei (27) of Khoupum, 6th IRB rifleman Sapam Inao of Waikhong, 1st IRB rifleman Ambang (37) of Tumnoupokpi and 6th MR rifleman Athokpam James (30) of Kongba Laishram Leikai.

They were shifted to RIMS hospitals.

Out of them, Sandang Maring, Takhellambam Sushil and Nungrei are in critical conditions.

The huge rocks which were found stuck at the hills fell upon the second bus after the first bus passed under them.

The huge rocks fell stumble upon the ill fated bus and flatten half of the bus killing the six personnel leaving seven others injured.

According to Hueiyen Lanpao reporters who went their reported that the huge rocks fell from an approximate height of 50 meters.

Rifles of the personnel who rode the bus were destroyed completely by the rock.

Personnel who rode the front got out of the ill fated bus either by breaking the windows and doors to save their life while some personnel in the rear got stuck inside the bus.

On hearing the news troops of 86th battalion CRPF posted at the village and troops of 10 AR under Red Shield Division immediately rushed to the spot and conducted rescue operations.

Unable to take off the huge rock, they utilized three excavators who were found working near the site and removed the rocks.

The rescue team took more than three hours to remove the injured personnel and the dead bodies.

Necessary first aid was administered to the injured personnel and rushed them at RIMS hospitals for further treatment.

High officials of Manipur Police visited the injured personnel at RIMS and enquired their situation.

Voluntary Help Units RIMS also extended cooperation and gave necessary medicines to save their lives.

Regarding the incident general secretary Manipur Drivers' Welfare Association Tomba expressed shock.

Source: Hueiyen News Service