Marangching Tragedy: Is this the wrath of Mother Nature?

At least 21 dead bodies have been recovered so far and as per report, the number is likely to rise. The tragic landslide that occurred at Marangching in Noney district of Manipur has taken so many lives – the disaster didn’t spare innocent villagers including women, children, government troopers and men on duty. As per report, at the time of writing this piece, it has been informed that nearly eighty people may still be buried. Some lucky individuals managed to survive but others are not so fortunate. Worst hit by the furious landslide occurred on June 30, 2022, morning was the 107 Territorial Army camp located at Marangching Part 5, deployed near Tupul Railway Station, Noney district. At least 43 TA personnel deployed at the site lost their lives, 6 dead bodies buried in the landslide have been recovered, while 37 are reported missing. As per initial report, at least 81 persons have been affected, 55 missing and 18 rescued, some with grievous injuries. These numbers are of those people working in Indian Railways, BIPL, TA and VSC, who were officially recorded by the respective authorities. As there are possibilities of many others who have not been registered but engaged by them as well as people of the nearby trespassing the area, the number of casualty could not be fixed.
Thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who had immediately reacted to the incident and non-delayed action for a rescue mission. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and other state cabinets Ministers and MLAs had rushed the site to take stock of the situation and boost up the rescue work by showing their seriousness. Immediate order by the Chief Minister’s office to assigned 5 MCS officers to assist the Deputy Commissioner of Noney district immediately, in the aftermath of the tragedies is a sign that showed how emotional and serious is the N. Biren Singh led government. Besides, N. Biren Singh announcement of Rs. 5 lakhs as ex-gratia to those who have lost their lives and also Rs. 50 thousands to those sustain injury in addition to the central government assistance, yet to be announced, indeed is a sign of matured government. Above all, managing the hectic scheduled, people need appreciation to the team N. Biren Singh for sparing maximum time at the landslide site by stationing there and monitoring the situation.
In short, the immediate response by the state government and also by the central government needs to be appreciated by all.
Once in a lifetime, or perhaps in a year, the people of the state have been witnessing natural disaster either in form of flash flood, landslides, draught and famine. In other part of the world as well as in other coastal states of India, deadly hurricane like Tsunami had taken tolls of lives. In early Japan or at African countries many disasters occurred due to eruption of Volcanoes. These natural phenomena are considered as beyond human capability to control.
However, Marangching Tragedy of June 30, is perhaps the first furious disaster that occurred in this hill-locked state of Manipur. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also stated that , the landslides at Noney district which kills many is the 2nd disaster occurred in the state after “Seven Years Devastation (1826)”. When one interprets to what Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had stated, it can be assumed that the Marangching Tragedy is a man made artificial disaster. Of course, it was not one man’s mistake, we all human being, particularly those staying in this state are all responsible about the catastrophe.
Deforestation that has been an issue of the state is one major reason for natural disaster of any kinds. In 2020, India State of Forest Report (IFSR) , published by the Forest Survey of India had stated that Manipur lost a total of 499 sq. km forest cover. Recently, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had also expressed shock in seeing tonsured hill range at many part of the state. In the name of development too – many trees were cleared, for construction of roads, dams and other projects. These days, rich elite class of Manipur had also started occupying hill range for construction of artificial farm house.
The Marangching Tragedy gives shock to all of us. But it is the wrath of Mother Nature to teach us another lesson. Lets’ prepare and hope that no such tragedy occurred in the near future.