Manipur youth killed as quake debris falls on him
Imphal, Jan 7 (IANS) A young man, who went on Thursday morning to salvage anything of value from a damaged private school run by his uncle, was killed when a portion of the school wall collapsed and fell on him, officials said.
Mangboi Taothang and a friend went to the school site in Leimakhong area in Imphal West district, when the accident took place.
A portion of the school wall collapsed, killing Taothang on the spot and seriously injuring his friend.
Doctors said Taothang was dead when he was brought to the hospital in Leimakhong.
Meanwhile, three experts from IIT-Roorkee told reporters in Imphal on Thursday that there was no need to demolish the damaged complexes of Laxmi and New Market.
The experts accompanied by Manipur's Works Minister K. Ratankumar inspected the damaged market complexes.
"There is no need to demolish the complexes. The damage can be repaired. However, nobody can predict earthquakes and as such, people should not go near the complexes since they are still dangerous," Jogendra Singh of the IIT said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women vendors have been staging a sit-in protest demanding an alternative market site for them.
"If the women vendors are not happy with the observation of the IIT officials, they should submit a memorandum to the government for necessary action," the minister said.
Social Welfare Minister Akoijam Mirabai also visited the site, and said that if the women vendors lodge a protest, the cabinet will hold a meeting to discuss the issue.
"The government is always ready to hold talks with the women vendors," she said.