A total of 553 civilians stranded in violence-hit Manipur were safely brought back to the State capital Kohima on Wednesday in a coordinated operation by Nagaland Government, Assam Rifles IGAR (North) and Nagaland Police. Out of the 553 civilians a many as 261 civilians belong to the Konyak tribe.
The second phase of “Operation Kohima Calling” began on 8 May, led by Col Umesh Sati, Commandant, 1 Assam Rifles. In the first phase of the operation, 676 civilians were brought from Imphal.
A warm welcome reception was held for the returnees at IGAR-North.
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Maj General Vikas Lakhera, Inspector General IGAR-North, speaking on the sideline to a section of reporters informed that out of the 553 civilians, 50 are from other states and 261 are from Konyak areas.
He said, majority of the people from Nagaland have been evacuated from Manipur and no further request have been received for evacuation. However, if any further request comes then those people will be evacuated accordingly.
“I can safely say, Operation Kohima Calling through effort by all the stakeholders, whether it is Assam rifles, State Government, Nagaland Police, Nagaland Transport, CSOs, APO, Konyak students Union, Konyak Union everything has come to end and to a good end,” Maj General Lakhera said.
Jamkhokai Lhungdim, who works in Manipur, and his nieces were among the evacuees. Sharing their ordeal, he said, “This time we are facing so much problem especially Kuki community, we were force [sic] to leave our home and we took protections in most of the Assam rifle camps in Manipur. We don’t feel safety in that [sic] places so, we were seeking different help that we will shift to other safety places.”
Expressing his gratitude to Nagaland government and Assam rifles, Lhungdim was happy to be reunited with his family who resides in Dimapur.
Meanwhile, Nepe a resident of Mon district who had gone to Manipur for her mother’s treatment along with her father was also safely brought back to Nagaland. Sharing her ordeal, she said “we went to Manipur for my mother’s treatment, we were waiting for re-treatment after the first operation that went successfully and got stuck there. We were so happy when we heard the news of Nagaland leaders decision to evacuate us to safe places when, we were struggling to get back home. Armies came and helped us in so many ways not just providing food but also helped us financially. With so much of care and love today we have reach our home Nagaland.”
Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Shanavas C during the reception also announced that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has extended financial aid of Rs.5000 for each family.
Read more: Joint Mission brings 676 civilians to Nagaland from strife-torn Manipur
