India’s northeastern Manipur state has been on alert after an unidentified flying object was spotted near the capital Imphal city airport's runway on Sunday (Nov 19).

Times of India news outlet reported, citing a source, that the unidentified aerial vehicle was spotted in the afternoon at 2 pm (local time) by a&nbsp; Central Industrial Security Force&nbsp;(CISF) personnel following which operations were halted and around 500&nbsp;passengers of three outbound flights were stranded.

NDTV reported, citing sources, that the airport authorities closed the "controlled airspace" and stopped all flight operations immediately. Two flights were diverted, while three were delayed.

According to reports, the&nbsp;air traffic control (ATC) and people on the ground saw the drones around, after which the three flights — two Air India, and an IndiGo flight — were told not to take off. At the same time, two incoming flights were diverted.

"Due to sighting of an unidentified flying object within Imphal controlled airspace, two flights have been diverted and three departing flights have been delayed. Flight operations commence after receipt of clearance from the competent authority," a statement issued by Airport Director Chipemmi Keishing said.

<h2>Flights suspended for three hours&nbsp;</h2>

The three flights—three flights scheduled to depart from Imphal to Agartala, Guwahati and Kolkata—remain&nbsp;suspended till 6 pm. Another flight from Delhi to Imphal&nbsp;was diverted to Kolkata while a flight from Guwahati to&nbsp;Imphal at 3.50 pm, which was also suspended later&nbsp;departed at 6.50 pm.

"The UFO was visible with bare eyes moving westwards of the airfield till 4 pm," an Air Traffic Control (ATC) official told PTI news agency.

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The airspace was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and after it gave the nod, the airspace was restored for commercial flight operations after three hours.

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Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Indian Air Force have launched a joint probe to find out more about the incident.

<h2>Joint probe launched&nbsp;</h2>

The Indian Air Force Eastern Command at Shillong was informed of the development, the official said.

Manipur is bordered by Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam, besides sharing an international border with Myanmar to its east.

(With inputs from agencies)

India’s northeastern Manipur state has been on alert after an unidentified flying object was spotted near the capital Imphal city airport's runway on Sunday (Nov 19).

India’s northeastern Manipur state has been on alert after an unidentified flying object was spotted near the capital Imphal city airport's runway on Sunday (Nov 19). Times of India news outlet reported, citing a source, that the unidentified aerial vehicle was spotted in the afternoon at 2 pm (local time) by a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel following which operations were halted and around 500 passengers of three outbound flights were stranded. NDTV reported, citing sources, that the airport authorities closed the "controlled airspace" and stopped all flight operations immediately. Two flights were diverted, while three were delayed. According to reports, the air traffic control (ATC) and people on the ground saw the drones around, after which the three flights — two Air India, and an IndiGo flight — were told not to take off. At the same time, two incoming flights were diverted. "Due to sighting of an unidentified flying object within Imphal controlled airspace, two flights have been diverted and three departing flights have been delayed. Flight operations commence after receipt of clearance from the competent authority," a statement issued by Airport Director Chipemmi Keishing said. Flights suspended for three hours The three flights—three flights scheduled to depart from Imphal to Agartala, Guwahati and Kolkata—remain suspended till 6 pm. Another flight from Delhi to Imphal was diverted to Kolkata while a flight from Guwahati to Imphal at 3.50 pm, which was also suspended later departed at 6.50 pm. "The UFO was visible with bare eyes moving westwards of the airfield till 4 pm," an Air Traffic Control (ATC) official told PTI news agency. Also read | Has India become a $4-trillion economy? Social media abuzz with rumours The airspace was handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and after it gave the nod, the airspace was restored for commercial flight operations after three hours. Also read | US: Four women killed, 1 injured in series of shootings across Memphis Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Indian Air Force have launched a joint probe to find out more about the incident. Joint probe launched The Indian Air Force Eastern Command at Shillong was informed of the development, the official said. Manipur is bordered by Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam, besides sharing an international border with Myanmar to its east. (With inputs from agencies)

UFO sighted in India? Manipur’s Imphal airport shut down after unusual activity

&quot;Sabki apni life hai, sabka apna time hai. Kisi ek liye aisa nahi karna chahye. This (VVIP culture) should be stopped,&quot; said the woman who shouted at Union MInister KJ Alphons after her flight was delayed.&nbsp;

Her flight was allegedly delayed due to VIP movement.&nbsp;

A video of the doctor -- identified as a Dr Nirala -- shouting at Alphons at Imphal airport had gone viral on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Watch video below:

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The doctor told Alphons to give to her in writing that her flight would not be delayed further. (WION Web Team)
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PTI reported that the doctor was rushing from Imphal to Patna via Kolkata to attend the funeral of a relative.&nbsp;

Earlier news reports had said she was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-woman-doctor-shouts-at-union-minister-alphons-as-her-flight-gets-delayed-24857" target="_blank">rushing to attend to a patient in critical condition</a>.&nbsp;

&quot;I was waiting and crying so I approached the minister (KJ Alphons), thinking a minister can do everything,&quot; Dr Nirala told ANI.&nbsp;

Alphons said it was okay that she had &quot;vented her anger on&quot; him.&nbsp;

&quot;Apart from prime minister and president there is no protocol for any minister. She (woman in video) had to talk to someone. It is fine with me that she vented her anger on me,&quot; Alphons told ANI.&nbsp;

&quot;I told her that there is a protocol. When president is landing, no flight can take off,&quot; Alphons added.&nbsp;

&quot;I don&#39;t think there is any controversy at all. I saw this lady in distress and I went up to talk to her. She said she has to attend a funeral in Patna,&quot; Alphons said.&nbsp;

The Imphal airport director had earlier confirmed that some flights had been delayed because of the President&#39;s flight.&nbsp;

&quot;Three scheduled flights were delayed by around two hours due to President of India&#39;s flight movement. We heard that one passenger who was travelling from Imphal to Patna argued with Union Minister KJ Alphons,&quot; the airport director was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

Union Minister KJ Alphons said it was okay that she had 'vented her anger on' him

"Sabki apni life hai, sabka apna time hai. Kisi ek liye aisa nahi karna chahye. This (VVIP culture) should be stopped," said the woman who shouted at Union MInister KJ Alphons after her flight was delayed. Her flight was allegedly delayed due to VIP movement. A video of the doctor -- identified as a Dr Nirala -- shouting at Alphons at Imphal airport had gone viral on Wednesday. Watch video below: The doctor told Alphons to give to her in writing that her flight would not be delayed further. (WION Web Team) × PTI reported that the doctor was rushing from Imphal to Patna via Kolkata to attend the funeral of a relative. Earlier news reports had said she was rushing to attend to a patient in critical condition. "I was waiting and crying so I approached the minister (KJ Alphons), thinking a minister can do everything," Dr Nirala told ANI. Alphons said it was okay that she had "vented her anger on" him. "Apart from prime minister and president there is no protocol for any minister. She (woman in video) had to talk to someone. It is fine with me that she vented her anger on me," Alphons told ANI. "I told her that there is a protocol. When president is landing, no flight can take off," Alphons added. "I don't think there is any controversy at all. I saw this lady in distress and I went up to talk to her. She said she has to attend a funeral in Patna," Alphons said. The Imphal airport director had earlier confirmed that some flights had been delayed because of the President's flight. "Three scheduled flights were delayed by around two hours due to President of India's flight movement. We heard that one passenger who was travelling from Imphal to Patna argued with Union Minister KJ Alphons," the airport director was quoted as saying.

This VVIP culture should be stopped: Woman doctor who shouted at union minister after flight delay

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UFO sighted in India? Manipur’s Imphal airport shut down after unusual activity

This VVIP culture should be stopped: Woman doctor who shouted at union minister after flight delay