Telangana, Andhra Pradesh scramble to airlift stranded Telugu students from Manipur

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government is preparing to airlift its students from strife-torn Manipur even as the government in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is stepping up its efforts to evacuate its stranded students from the violence-hit northeastern state.

The Telangana government has set up a special cell to monitor the situation in violence-ravaged Manipur and to protect the students from the state. "Chief secretary and DGP are in touch with Manipur government officials to ensure safety of Telangana students and workers," an official said.

Senior police officials said that, keeping in view of the growing unrest in Manipur, the helpline was arranged. Soon after the helpline became active, cops received 20 phone calls within one hour.

Telangana students studying in National Institute of Technology and Central Agriculture University in Imphal dialled the helpline and sought help, police said.

"If any person from Telangana contacts us, we will share the information with Army and Manipur state police and facilitate his/her transportation to a safe place. Depending on the situation, arrangements will also be made for their travel to Telangana," Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

She said that Telangana students and workers employed in various project sites by contractors were safe. "News of arson at places close to where they are staying has left them worried. Some of them called us, requesting us to arrange food for them," she said. Police said that there were several students from both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who were pursuing higher education in Manipur. There are also labourers and other workers engaged by contractors at various locations of the northeastern state, police said.

Andhra Pradesh opens helpline, control room in Delhi

The Andhra Pradesh government has opened a helpline and control room at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan, New Delhi to render any assistance to Andhra Pradesh students stranded in Manipur.

The helpline numbers are: 011-23384016 and 011-23387089.

The State government officials said that they were in constant touch with the Manipur government and local administration to ensure all help.

Following helpline numbers are provided by the Manipur government to provide assistance to people affected by present law and order situation in the state.

1. 8399882392 - MN Michael Achom, IRS

2. 9436034077 - Rehanuddin Choudhury, Joint Secretary (Home)

3. 7005257760 - Peter Salam, Joint Secretary (Home)

4. 8794475406 - Dr. Th. Charanjeet Singh, Joint Secretary (Home)

5. 8730931414 - Dr. Mayengbam Veto Singh, Deputy Secretary (Home)

6. 7085517602 - S. Rudranarayan Singh, DSP(Home)

Parents of the students who are in Manipur may communicate helpline numbers to their children along with details of the helpline established at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi, the officials said. “We request students to get in touch through the helpline at Imphal or at Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi and seek any assistance they require,” they said.

The Andhra Pradesh Government has also stepped up its efforts to bring the stranded Telugu students to their native places safely. The officials concerned are coordinating with the Centre in this regard. So far, around 100 students from Andhra Pradesh have been identified as studying in Manipur. Steps are being taken by the government to bring them back in a special flight.

In this regard, the Civil Aviation Department officials said that they would inform the Andhra Pradesh government about the timings of special flights to be operated for shifting the students.