Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Sunday handed over 179 trafficking survivors hailing from Nepal, who were rescued from different places in the state, to the neighbouring country’s embassy officials at Khuman Lampak indoor stadium.

The survivors, including 147 women, were rescued from different hotels in Imphal, Moreh and other places early this month. They have been staying in eight centres run by different NGOs.

After receiving a letter from the ministry of home affairs on February 14, the home department issued an order on Saturday to pave way for their deportation/repatriation to Nepal.

On Sunday, the chief minister formally handed over the survivors to Nepal embassy officials, led by its counsellor Prakash Adhikari. The survivors will be transported in eight buses up to the Panitanki-Kakarbhitta border. They will be escorted by eight officials of the social welfare department, two sub-inspectors and a constable.

“Human trafficking has become rampant internationally and it is no surprise it is happening in Manipur as well. The survivors were being trafficked out of Manipur through the Indo-Myanmar border,” Biren Singh said.

Thanking the state police, customs officials and NGOs, the chief minister appealed to the police to remain alert in order to save “innocent” people from trafficking.

“Thanks to the government of Manipur for saving our people. I couldn’t express my happiness when I met the survivors. All of them are happy with the hospitality provided by the Manipur government. I want to express my gratitude on behalf of the Nepal government. If they had crossed the border, we cannot imagine what would have happened to them,” Adhikari said.

He sought cooperation from the Manipur government to prevent trafficking incidents.