07/05/2023
Press Release
Gangtok, May 06 (IPR): A total of 128 students are being brought back to Sikkim from the conflict-inflicted Manipur. They were all brought back in flights arranged by the State government from Imphal (Manipur) to Kolkata and then forward to Siliguri by bus. The State government has arranged SNT buses for their transit to the State upon their arrival in Siliguri today.
It is informed that a resident doctor from Sikkim, who was posted at a far-off area in Manipur, was also safely brought back to Imphal and then to Kolkata.
Under the direction of Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, 'Operation GURANS', an initiative of the State government to bring back students to Sikkim, was spearheaded by Chief Secretary, Shri V.B. Pathak, IAS. The Chief Minister constantly monitored the situation in Manipur and took stock of every aspect of security and other issues of the students.
The Sikkim administration closely coordinated with the Manipur administration including the Chief Secretary and senior officials at the State level along with the DCs and SPs of Manipur for safe passage of the students from their respective hostels to the airport in Manipur.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Shri A.S. Rao, IPS, Director General of Police, Sikkim, Shri A.K. Singh, IPS, Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi, Shri A.K. Chand, IPS, Secretary, Home, Smt. Tashi Cho Cho, and DIG/Range, Gangtok, Shri Tashi Wangyal, IPS, were actively involved in this exercise.
Secretary, Home, Smt. Tashi Cho Cho, DIG/Range, Gangtok, Shri Tashi Wangyal, IPS, and Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi, Shri A.K. Chand, IPS, proactively coordinated with Manipur district administration and airline service providers and were instrumental in ensuring smooth passage of the students.
All the necessary requirements of the students during their transit have been taken care of by the State government.
Simultaneously, the Information and Public Relations Department, Government of Sikkim, led by Secretary, Ms. Namrata Thapa, IAS, played a significant role in providing essential information to the masses since the inception of the emergency meet held at Tashiling Secretariat.
Under the directive of the Chief Secretary, a helpline service (03592 299959, 8:00 am-8:00 pm) had also been set up at Emergency Response Support System located at Tashiling Secretariat, which had a dedicated team in charge of addressing any calls of distress from the students of Sikkim in Manipur.
The State government has extended gratitude to the Government of Manipur for their cooperation and coordination in ensuring safe return of the students to Sikkim.