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More 553 Nagaland civilians brought back from violence-hit Manipur
The civilians were brought in 15 buses and six light motor vehicles provided by Nagaland State Transport that reached Kohima on Wednesday. The evacuation was done under an initiative of Assam Rifles ‘Operation Kohima Calling’
The Nagaland government in collaboration with the Assam Rifles on Wednesday evacuated another 553 of its citizens, who were stranded following May 3 violent clashes in different parts of neighbouring Manipur, taking the taking the total number of returnees to 1229, officials said.
In the first phase, 676 citizens, mostly students and working professionals, were evacuated on May 7 by the state government in collaboration with security forces.
Nearly 10,000 soldiers from the army and the Assam Rifles have been deployed in violence-hit Manipur.
The civilians were brought in 15 buses and six light motor vehicles provided by Nagaland State Transport that reached Kohima on Wednesday. The evacuation was done under an initiative of Assam Rifles ‘Operation Kohima Calling’.
Also Read: 600 Kuki refugees returned to Manipur from Assam, more following: Police
Officials said chief minister Neiphiu Rio extended financial assistance to individuals and families who were evacuated.
Meanwhile, churches in Nagaland will be joining the prayer call made by the Baptist Youth Fellowship India (BYFI) for peace to prevail in Manipur, local church leaders informed.
“As we all witnessed through print as well as social media, the state of Manipur is undergoing social unrest till date. Many lives have been lost, injured, homeless and stranded..... Therefore, I sincerely request everyone to pray for peace to prevail in Manipur,” BYFI president Reverend Vikuo Rhi stated in a prayer appeal to Christians across the country.
Violent clashes broke out between tribals and people belonging to the majority Meitei community in Manipur last week, displacing thousands of people. The clashes were preceded by tension over the eviction of Kuki villagers from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
