New Delhi: A search operation is underway for the three people who went missing after their boats capsized in the reservoir of Manipur's Mapithel dam on Sunday.
On Tuesday evening, a team of 12 naval divers and two hydrographers (survey sailors) of the Indian Navy was airlifted to Imphal by an IAF aircraft to help in the search and rescue operation.
Two boats, carrying a picnic party of 12 people, capsized during a storm in the reservoir of the Mapithel dam in Kamjong district of Manipur on Sunday. Nine of the picnickers were rescued, but S Rajib (35), S Romen (29) and N Rani (19) from the Ningthoukhong Kha-Khunou village are yet to be traced. They are feared to have drowned.
The Manipur government had requested for help in tracing and rescuing the stricken people. The military's move came as a result of that request.
The naval diving team that has been deployed for the rescue mission is carrying diving equipment including portable side scan sonar for locating objects underwater and commenced search operation on Wednesday.
The team has joined the ongoing search operation along with an NDRF team and civil authorities.
