171 Tripura residents stranded in trouble-torn Manipur return home safe

The government of Tripura brought back home at least 171 of its residents – working people and mostly students of the state – who were stranded in trouble-torn Manipur by a special flight on Sunday midnight.

Most of the rescued are medical students studying at the Regional Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) in Imphal, Manipur.

They heaved a sigh of relief after reaching home safely.

Sharing their scary and horrific experiences, they told the media that while they were safe within the RIMS hostel, there was a lot of violence going on outside the Institue, as they frequently witnessed arson attacks and could constantly hear gunfire and explosions going off all around them.

The students also stated that even though the administration had assured them of their safety and protection, they experienced such a volatile situation in such close proximity for the first time ever and wanted to return back home.

The returnees and the parents of the students expressed their gratitude to the state government for arranging their evacuation.

Additionally, 37 more students of the Central Agriculture University have also reached Guwahati and will fly to Agartala in the afternoon by another special flight arranged by the state government.

Besides, the state government, TIPRA Moth chief Pradyot Debbarma has also personally made arrangements to evacuate tribal students from Manipur. At least 50 tribal students are returning home by another flight.

The government is in touch with the students in Manipur to monitor the situation and provide them with every assistance for their safe return besides opening a helpline operating round the clock for assisting them.

People requiring help may contact ERSS: 112 State Emergency Operation Centre: 1070/ 0381-2416045/ 2416241, Whatsapp number: 8787676210.

A team of Tripura government officers have also been deputed in Imphal to oversee the safe evacuation of students and other residents from Manipur and arrange local support for safe travels to return.