Biren Singh seeks Army, NDRF help as Dzukou wildfire spreads to Manipur

The Manipur government has sought the help of NDRF and the Army to help douse the wildfire which has spread to Senapati district after erupting in the Dukou Range of Nagaland on Thursday.

The Dzukou Valley is located on the border of Nagaland and Manipur.

Reports said Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday conducted an aerial survey of the valley along with top officials to take stock of the situation.

In a tweet later, Singh said Union Home Minister Amit Shah discussed the situation with him over the phone and has promised him necessary help from the Centre to contain the fire at the earliest.

The chief minister said the government has sent more personnel to the spot and is “seeking help from concerned authorities to stop the spread of the fire and save the deep forest portion of the valley.”

The government has urged the NDRF to send help to contain the blaze as well as requested the Army and Assam Rifles to lend firefighters a helping hand in dousing the fire.

Forest department officials, firefighters and volunteers have already reached the spot and are trying to extinguish the fire.

Johnny Raungmei, the OSD of Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority said choppers will be used, if necessary, to douse the fire on Friday.