Imphal, April 22: At least six persons, including four non-Manipuri labours have been killed and over 15 sustained injuries of varying degree when a three-storeyed building located at Singjamei Bazar caved in when it was being dismantled today to facilitate the National Highway expansion programme.

Moments after the disaster took place at around 7.30 am personnel of Manipur Fire Service, State police, IRB and Assam Rifles were joined by local volunteers in rescuing the trapped persons from the mangled remains of the building.

In order to ensure smooth conduct of the rescue and salvage operation security personnel blocked traffic on the normally busy NH-39 Indo-Burma road that passes through the incident zone.

Vehicles were diverted through the local by-lanes towards Singjamei Chingamakhong with local women folks actively involved in explaining reason for the traffic diversion.

A large number of locals thronged near the operation site to confirm whether the injured or deceased persons are known.

"A loud crumbling sound was heard and before long saw part of Naidu Shopping Complex reduced to rubble," said local eyewitnesses who also described the scene as frightful with wails emanating from beneath the debris among the cloud of dust.

Even as some of the survivors were seen hurriedly leaving the site with loaded handpulled carts security and fire department personnel arrived and began the salvage operation, they said.

Personnel of 32 Assam Rifles of Chinga post rushed to the scene and joined in the rescue effort.

The chinga post personnel comprising of about 35 jawans under its Commandant Col SS Salkar and Major VC Sharma were among the first to reach the disaster site and managed to pull free at least nine persons, said an AR statement.

Paramedics of Shija Research and Hospitals Institute who arrived with emergency accessories played a crucial role in assisting RIMS personnel in evacuating the injured.

Many of the rescuers among whom include a large number of local volunteers had a miraculous escape as the mangled electricity wires were not disconnected.

Heavy machineries including two JCBs and a crane were used in the rescue operation which was still going on when this report was filed.

Pointing out procedural flaw the witnesses claimed of the labourers starting the dismantling process from the pillars onwards on the ground floor rather than from the top which could have averted the disaster.

Among the victims three were buried dead while the others either succumbed to injuries on the way or at RIMS and JN hospitals.

There were about 20 non-Manipuris from Minuthong Hatta area when the structure caved in as they reportedly chiselled and hammered through the building remains to collect iron scraps and other building materials, said informed source adding that the manner in which the dismantling works were being undertaken did not conform to guidelines.

One Jahangir from West Bengal who was lucky enough to survive the disaster was pulled out from the debris after about five hours' struggle.

The survivor, informed to be part of the manual labour team engaged to dismantled the building, was provided water and oxygen through a pipe before being finally pulled out.

According to one Kamal Hassan who knew many of the labourers, most of them took their meal early in the morning before leaving to collect scraps.

Two locals who were among the six casualties have been identified as Moirangthem Lenin (26) s/o M Yaima of Singjamei Thongam Leikai and Laikangbam Indrakumar (47) of Kyamgei.

Both the bodies have been handed over to family members after medical procedures at RIMS Morgue in late evening.

identity of the other victims have been established as Golapati residents Md Manirul (18), Md Sobur (37) and Md Dota Shiekh (23), and Md Sirajul (35) of West bengal.

Out of nine injured admitted to RIMS condition of one Md Binjir Ali (37) of West Bengal is stated to be serious while the rest have been discharged.

Five persons rushed to JN Hospital have been identified as Md Polash (19), Md Amirul (21), Md Ajijun (20) all migrant workers from West bengal, Yumnam Roben (26) of Singjamei Mayengbam Leikai and Takhellambam Gitchandra (23) of Kyamgei.

Gitchandra reportedly got hurt when he was passing through in a moped while Roben was walking on foot when the incident occured.

Some of the injured were also reportedly admitted at private clinics.

The actual number, however, could not be confirmed.

Singjamei police have registered an FIR case on the matter and investigation is on to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap even as there is apprehension that adjacent structures would also collapse.

Following Government's move to widen NH-39, the owner of the ill-fated building had reportedly vacated all his belongings from the structure to meet the deadline.

Joint Director of Manipur Fire Service N Noren Singh, who joined the salvage operation informed of using Combitool a device that can cut, pull and tow away heavy objects and chain saw to cut through the metal parts.

Senior police officials including DGP AK Parashar, Addl DG DC Dabas, IG (LO-1) R Baral, SPs of Imphal east and West districts as well as the Imphal West DC Y Surchandra were present at the disaster site.

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