Landslide in Tupul.

Tupul, in the Noney district of Manipur experienced heavy landslide early this morning.

B Company of 107 Territorial Army deployed at Tupul came under heavy landslide last night. Complete company got washed away. Lt Col KD Pandey and all present at night are in the casualty list. Rescue operations are on.

A tragedy in the process of strategic development and great contribution of the Terriers! 

Noney is located on NH 37 as one starts claiming the hills towards Silchar. Rail link between Silchar and Imphal along with the widening of NH 37 is a strategic affair of great significance. It is an extension of Lumding - Silchar broad gauging which started in the late '90s. Last year, the first train reached Manipur going further ahead of Jiribam which saw the first train in 2016.

The role of the Territorial Army, especially 107 Infantry Battalion TA 11 GR and 109 Inf BnTA Assam has been significant in ensuring these developments by providing security and confidence. That had allowed the Railway to move forward from once a disgustingly slow speed.

NH 37 (Silchar - Imphal) was hardly under use due to the politics of NSCN. A few odd vehicles travelling would invariably be subjected to extortion. Barak river and these hills were controlled by militants and were drug highways. Politics of NH via Kohima was at at its peak. Each truck would pay to NSCN. Opening of NH 37 was an endgame for them.

The 5 phase clean up militancy operations launched in mid-2008 helped the area tremendously in controlling the menace of terrorism.

"Barak belt in the hills of Manipur has great stories. While most hills were controlled by Naga militants, the southern side was controlled by UNLF and PLA. The villages are fascinating. The river is uncharted but enchanting. One gets the best Trout - they travel from Bangladesh against the current of Barak to breed in the hills. That makes them special. Pythons, giant frogs, other snakes are a treat to encounter. Bamboo is in abundance. People are beautiful", gushes my army course mate, HK.

A salute to the Terriers who have lost life in Noney and earlier in related operations for the last 13 years. Our condolences to the unit and families of the departed. May the missing ones be found soon.

Savdhani va Shoorta is their motto.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6 and I was free of the runny nose problem. The laboratory team had reached us by 8 to draw the blood samples. A quick breakfast and the post prandial tests were also done.

The results are encouraging. It was a thoroughly wet day.

The maid had come in the afternoon to do her work.