IMPHAL, Jan 5 - The Luxmi Market and the New Market in the iconic Mother�s Market Complex, popularly known as Ima Keithel, along with a ministerial block in the State Secretariat in Imphal, were declared �unsafe� by the State authority after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake damaged some portions of the buildings.
According to the State Relief and Disaster Management (SRDM), a total of 339 buildings, including 164 in Senapati, 60 in Tamenglong, 58 in Imphal West, 38 in Bishnupur, 17 in Imphal East, one each in Thoubal and Ukhrul districts and a bridge in Imphal were damaged during the powerful tremor on Monday.
The State Government is monitoring the situation in this highly seismic region with round-the-clock control rooms and has sent teams with essentials to the required destinations. The State Government announced closure of all government offices, barring essential services, for two days fearing possible aftershocks. All educational institutions have also been ordered closed for seven days for the same reason.
Meanwhile, a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) inspected three sites in and around Imphal on Tuesday, while another team inspected the sites at Noney hill station in Tamenglong district, epicenter of the earthquake. A 65-member NDRF team is camping in Manipur to carry our necessary operations.
In another development, some school buildings have been identified for setting up of temporary hospitals if the need so arises, while essential medicines and kits have been procured and dispatched to all district headquarters. The Chief Minister also appealed people to stay calm and not to pay any heed to rumour mongers.
The State authority is expecting district-wise assessment reports from the respective Deputy Commissioners by Wednesday. Meanwhile, the death toll has gone up to 8, while the number of injured person has reached 106, official sources said. Of the eight deaths, four died in Imphal West district, two each in Imphal East and Senapati districts.
