Kohima: Altogether 553 people from Nagaland including some from other states, stranded in violence-hit Manipur reached Kohima on Wednesday. The stranded people were ferried in 15 NST buses and six light vehicles, escorted by Assam Rifles under the command of Col Umesh C Sati along with SDO Sadar Chonpenthung Ezung and DSP (traffic) T Henthai Phom.

The joint evacuation exercise carried out by Assam Rifles and Nagaland police code-named “Operation Kohima Calling”, successfully evacuated 1,229 people between May 6-10.

In a short speech during the public reception, Inspector General Assam Rifles (North), Maj Gen. Vikas Lakhera, termed phase II of ‘Operation Kohima Calling’ mission was successful. He said with the chunk of the stranded people having been already evacuated, there would not be any large scale exercise, except for some small evacuation exercise that might be required if the need arose.

IGAR also said that the forces had not received any distress call from stranded persons. He thanked the Angami Public Organisation and Mao Council for their timely assistance along the entire stretch of the journey.

Expressing pain that many had to leave their profession and studies for the safety of their lives, Lakhera hoped that the tension would subside and situation would get back to normal soon so that they would be able to resume their livelihood.

In his short speech, APO vice-president Neivor Rutsa welcomed all the stranded people back into the safety of the State. He mentioned that the rescue efforts were jointly initiated by the State government with assistance from the Assam Rifles whose efforts had guaranteed the safety and security of the people.

Referring to various negative posts in social media with regard to the rescue missions, he urged the people to desist from spreading negativity at this point of time and focus on the positive and good news.

Words of gratitude were also conveyed by Konyak Union Kohima vice president Jeiang Konyak. He thanked the Assam Rifles and the State government for safely bringing back the 263 Konyaks who were working in Manipur.

On the occasion, DC Kohima Shanavas C announced the financial assistance extended by chief minister Neiphiu Rio to the evacuees. Invocation was pronounced by assistant parish priest of St Francis De Sales, Kohima, Fr Alex Tep.

Later, speaking to Nagaland Post, 65-year-old evacuee Seilen Lotjem disclosed that he would be proceeding towards Medziphema to his village with his two children, two nephews and his wife.

He said he was a lecturer in theological studies and was working at Kuki Christian Church at Dewlahland in the heart of Imphal where he had been living for the past 32 years.

Sharing his experience when the riots broke out, Lotjem said they were stressed, feared for their lives and even doubted whether they would make it out alive. He mentioned that he still had five years of his service till his retirement and would see how to get back to work.