ITANAGAR, Oct 1 � Five persons, including a minor, were today buried alive in a massive landslide at Karsingsa block point along the National Highway 52A near here, according to police sources.
The incident occurred around 11 am when a group of commuters were crossing the Karsingsa block point on foot towards Banderdewa, the gateway of Arunachal capital, Itanagar, when a massive landslide hit the victims and buried them alive after dragging them for about 100 metres.
The killed have been identified as 22-year-old Gichik Yake (Tagru) and her husband Tagru Tassa (27) of Tali in Kurung Kumey district, Kamgouthang Kipgen (29) and Jhon Kipgen (16) � both hailing from Manipur, and eight-year-old boy Hriky Dekam (Tamin) from Daporijo, Upper Subansiri district. The police later brought the bodies to the Arunachal State Hospital morgue for identification and later handed them over to their relatives after completing all formalities.
Meanwhile, distressed over the unfortunate accident, Chief Minister Nabam Tuki this evening announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. He also conveyed his deep sense of condolences to the bereaved families.
PTI adds: A portion of the NH was completely washed away on August 15 for which the vehicular traffic was diverted via another route, but pedestrians used to cross the sinking zone on foot to avail transport on either side of the blocked point, an official said.
