23 killed in North-East landslides

SILCHAR, June 3: At least 23 persons were killed and six others injured in landslides, triggered by torrential rains, in Assam and Sikkim. Assam alone accounted for 22 deaths early this morning. Cachar district deputy commissioner Pawan Kumar Borthakur said that 21 tea garden labourers of eight families were buried alive while they were asleep in the landslide at Chandighat tea estate under Udarband police station, about 25 km from here, at 0300 hours. One person succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.

He said all the bodies including those of 12 women and eight children were recovered and there was no possibility of more victims as the family members were identified. An official release said that members of the said eight families out of fear of being attacked by elephants took shelter in a makeshift barrack adjoining the tea estate.

The area is infested with wild elephants which frequently attack households in search of food.In Sikkim, one person was killed and another injured in a landslide at Makhain east district on Tuesday, police said. The movement of traffic between the State capital and the rest of the country was disrupted following heavy rainfall in most parts of the state.