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By Anupam Mishra: The Assam Rifles managed to rescue around 45 visually impaired people, including students and staff of a blind school. The rescue operation took place during clashes in Manipur in the first week of May.
K Parenag Kom, Principal of Mission Blind School in Manipur’s Kakching had requested for help. Later, an Internal Security column was launched to rescue the stranded visually impaired children and supporting staff, sources said.
They were safely escorted to the Kakching garrison where they were provided food and shelter from May 3. After they settled down, the Assam Rifles in coordination with family members, took an initiative to take the children back to their homes safely on Saturday (May 13).
Also Read: Manipur: Assam rifles’ soldier injured while diffusing improvised bomb
Assam Rifles’ initiative in reuniting these stranded children and staff with their kin was applauded by K Parenag Kom. Parents of these children also expressed their gratitude and appreciated the efforts taken.
Massive clashes had broken out in Manipur during the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the beginning of May. The event was organised to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Tensions between the Meiti community and the tribals — Kuki and Nagas — was responsible for the clash. Some Kuki villagers were reportedly evicted from reserve forest land, which had led to a series of smaller agitations.
Also Read: 1 commando killed, 5 injured in gun battle with militant groups in violence-hit Manipur
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