676 Naga civilians and students 'extricated' from trouble-hit Manipur by Assam Rifles

676 Naga civilians and students 'extricated' from trouble-hit Manipur by Assam Rifles

Kohima/New Delhi 

A total of 676 civilians including a large number of students were extricated from violence-hit parts of Manipur by the officials and personnel from Assam Rifles under the aegis of IGAR (North) that caters to the entire geographical areas of Nagaland state.

Meanwhile, a defence source in Delhi said that the army has also significantly enhanced aerial surveillance through movement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and redeployment of helicopters within Imphal valley.

The 'Operation Kohima Calling' launched by Assam Rifles is being led by a DIG level/Brigadier officer, sources said at Kohima.

Students were picked up from the Imphal-based Agri University and Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS), sources said. The personnel from 7 Assam Rifles and 43 Assam Rifles have been pressed into service, they said also adding that a compliment of 14 civil buses have been provided by the state police of Manipur from the Senapati region.

Sources further said the services of Colonel level officers were enlisted for facilitating the enroute and ensure trouble free movement.

Officials say over the years the Assam Rifles have not only ensured peace and security in the north east, as an outfit called 'Friends of the Hill People' this paramilitary force has also contributed immensely in various rescue and relief operations during natural disasters and other crises and also helped promote education and take care of people's health especially in rural areas.

The Sadbhavna scheme run by Assam Rifles catering to multi-sectors is a gamechanger in more than one, they say. 

"Assam Rifles continued its relief and rescue ops.  Scores of students residing in the hostel of the Manipur University were shifted. AR is also providing humanitarian aid in terms of food and shelter to all locals in addition to working towards restoration of law and order in Manipur", the Assam Rifles said in a tweet.

Army sources in Rangapahar said, proactive rescue operations, conduct of flag marches, area domination, interaction 

with locals/ influencers to reassure them of their personal safety among major activities undertaken by over 100 columns which are operationally deployed.

"As a result of proactive & timely response, Churachandpur, KPI, Moreh and Kakching are now under firm control with no major violence reported since yesterday night," they said.

IGAR North or GoC Nagaland Maj Gan Vikas Lakhera received the Naga students and civilians at Kohima.

"Again, a team of our men will go back to Manipur tomorrow (Monday) to bring more stranded people

back home," Maj Gen Lakhera told them.

ends