SHILLONG, May 5: The Meghalaya government has begun evacuating students of the state stranded in strife-torn Manipur.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed The Shillong Times from Imphal that 67 students from Meghalaya studying in the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, have landed at Guwahati Airport on Friday evening in the first phase of the evacuation.
She further said that eight more students studying at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal will be evacuated on Saturday while another 36 students studying in the same institute will be evacuated on Sunday.
Earlier, Lyngdoh led a team of officials to Imphal on Friday. Before leaving, she told reporters she is heading to Manipur along with the officials to assist in the evacuation. Lyngdoh is being assisted by Daniel Thangkiew, Political Secretary & OSD to Chief Minister and Viveknanda Singh Rathore, SP of West Garo Hills in the evacuation process.
There are no exact figures but close to 200 people, mostly students, from Meghalaya are stranded there.
The state government has also launched a helpline at assist parents, students and citizens stranded in Manipur. The helpline number 1800-345-3644 will provide citizens with any kind of assistance they may need. In addition, students of Meghalaya studying in Manipur can reach out to Nodal Officer Remdor Dkhar (+91 98631 14387) and Dr Paul Chyne (9863089972) for queries and to seek assistance.
Lyngdoh expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for the evacuation process. She said the government will ensure the smooth evacuation of the people who may feel stressed.
She said the government is organising flights for evacuation. She also said that given the prevailing law and order situation in Manipur, it will not be possible to evacuate those stranded far away from Imphal and the airport.
Lyngdoh revealed that the Army escorted the stranded members of Lajong football team out of their hotel and they were lodged at the Imphal airport.
“We will take an Indigo flight. We hope that we will be able to bring more people on that flight. We are expecting SpiceJet and maybe, even getting AirAsia on board. The Meghalaya government is engaging actively with the Aviation Ministry, and all private airlines. I will go willingly and happily and escort all of our citizens out of Imphal,” the Minister said.
Advising the students to call the helpline number, she said they should give their locations and addresses.
“We are coordinating with the Army, police and government of Manipur in this exercise. All students should be evacuated by tomorrow afternoon or evening,” Lyngdoh said.
Speaking about the efforts being made by the government, the chief minister said, “We are bringing back our stranded citizens through regular flights and chartered flights with special permission. The Lajong football team has already been escorted to the airport and we are making efforts to ensure the safe and timely return of all our citizens.
“I would like to urge the students from Meghalaya who are studying in Manipur and their parents to remain calm. We are working closely with the Union and state governments and security agencies to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made for the safe return of our students and citizens.”
