All 14 bodies retrieved after 22-hr long rescue operations

ITANAGAR, Jul 12: Chief Minister Pema Khandu today visited the landslide-hit area in Laptap village near Sagalee taking a 3-hour drive from here despite the poor connectivity and rough roads.He visited the spot hit by landslide, where estimated 14 people had lost their lives.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by State BJP President Tapir Gao, former CM Nabam Tuki, Home Minister Kumar Waii, UD Minister Nabam Rebia, Disaster Management Parliamentary Secretary Kaling Moyong and UD Parliamentary Secretary Techi Kaso.

The Chief Minister inspected the site of the incident and interacted with officials of the district administration, NDRF and state police to oversee the rescue operations being carried out.

The Chief Minister then visited the makeshift camp where bodies recovered from the site were kept for cremation. He met the relatives of the victim families and assured all possible help from the state government’s side.

The Chief Minister expressed his sympathies to the bereaved families and offered his deep condolences for the victims of the massive afternoon landslide that took place yesterday.

Later in a gathering, the Chief Minister handed over Rs 10 lakhs on behalf of state government to the next of kin of the victim family as immediate relief. He also donated Rs 30 lakhs from his personal means as immediate assistance to the victim family.

Speaking to the villagers, he said that on being informed about the incident yesterday, he had immediately instructed the state administration, home and health department to carry out rescue and relief operations with adequate food supplies, medicine and doctors.

Expressing his deep sorrow over the incident, the Chief Minister said it is a moment of great sadness that 14 members from a single family have lost their lives in the tragic incident.

“Human loss is a big loss, which can never be compensated though material loss could be recovered,” he said and appealed the people to pray for the departed soul.

On Sagalee area being cut off from rest of the world, the Chief Minister informed that district administration has been instructed to resume the relief and rescue operations for stranded people. He informed that helicopter has been pressed into service for the purpose with all relief measures being taken especially for the patients with ambulance facilities in the Naharlagun helipad.

He also informed that state government is making all effort for restoring the road communication to Sagalee, which is cut off from all sides. 

Locals say ‘negligence’ caused disaster

ES Reporter

LAPTAP VILLAGE, Jul 12:Interacting with press reporters at the spot, locals and close relatives of the aggrieved families held the Sushi private limited, a private firm which is executing the construction of national highway above the village responsible for the tragic incident.

Expressing anguish over the negligence of the firm, brother of one of the deceased, Tana Tagi Tara alleged that prior to the incident apprehension were raised by locals about possibility of landslides.

Even the affected families had requested the firm to construct a retaining wall below the road, but despite several requests the firm didn't heed to the appeal of the families living below the road. ‘If the firm had constructed a retaining wall, loss of innocent lives could have been averted,’ rued Tara who lost all her relatives in the incident

Furthermore, a senior Advocate, Nabam Ringu informed that he will file an FIR against the firm shortly and appealed to the government to initiate a thorough enquiry into the incident to give justice to the deceased and their family members.

If sources are to be believed, after the incident few officials attempted to flee from the area. However, villagers intercepted them and thwarted their attempt.--

All 14 bodies retrieved after 22-hr long rescue operations

ES Reporter

ITANAGAR/LAPTAP, Jul 12: After long 22-hours of continuous search and rescue operations, all 14 bodies buried by the landslide on Tuesday evening were retrieved.

The team comprising of 58 NDRF, 20 SDRF, 23 STF, 87 Police personnel from PTC, 6 FS and dozens of district police personnel under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Papumpare Tumme Ammo carried out the arduous retrieval process.

Six women, an 18-year old boy, two girls and five  minors belonging to four families were buried alive on the afternoon of July 11 last when an unexpected landslide engulfed major portion of the village.

‘Villagers who were in their farms and jungles luckily survived the nature’s fury,’ informed SP Ammo.

The task was tough as the debris comprising  boulders and soil carried by the landslides were about 3m deep and spread over 200 by 200 metres with a volume of approximately 1,20,000 cubic meters,’ added the SP while adding that it took at least 22-hours to recover all the bodies.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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