12 more bodies found; death toll mounts to 20

Guwahati: With the recovery of the bodies of eight Territorial Army personnel and four more civilians on Friday, the death toll in the landslide, triggered by incessant rain in Manipur's Noney district, has reached 20. Over 50 people are still missing.

The Army stated that, "search for the 15 missing Territorial Army personnel and 29 civilians will continue unabated. Non-stop efforts from all agencies will continue till each missing personnel is found".

On Thursday, eight bodies were recovered, of which seven were from the territorial army. Official sources claim that over 80 people were caught in the landslide. At least 23 others were injured and rescued by the Army, Central and state agencies.Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accompanied by top Army and civil officials, visited the disaster site at Tupul in western Manipur on Friday.


Singh tweeted: "In the landslide affected sites of Tupul, ministers of the state govt, local MLAs and officials are also camping to oversee the rescue operation. The loss of lives, including that of our armed forces personnel, is deeply saddening. We still have over 50 missing persons to be found."

"Visited the site in Tupul which was severely devastated by the landslide yesterday and took stock of the rescue operations. Heavy machinery along with 'Through Wall Imaging Radar' have also been deployed to expedite the operation," the CM tweeted.

The Army stated that search operations by the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, SDRF and NDRF were continuing at Tupul.

The Army stated that 10 columns have been pressed into the search operation. Joint operational task force is coordinating the efforts to remove the mud and boulders. A 'Through Wall Radar' is being inducted by air to detect the presence of personnel buried in the debris. GOC in C Eastern Command, Lt Gen RP Kalita met the six injured Territorial Army personnel who were initially evacuated to Liemakong Military Hospital on June 30 and are now being provided medical aid at the Assam Rifles Hospital at Mantripukhri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have spoken to Biren Singh and assured him of all help.