Blast at Fest venue : Posers on professionalism to meet exigencies
Preparedness caught on the wrong foot ?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 01 2011: Even as the police managed to gather some valuable information from the cart driver, whose legs were blown apart under the impact of the powerful bomb blast on November 30, it has brought into sharp focus the preparedness of the Government in meeting exigencies while hosting a mega event.

When The Sangai Express contacted the Commissioner of Tourism Department, KK Chettry today and inquired why no ambulance arrived to transport the injured cart driver and why no para-medics were seen at the spot of the incident, he replied that a private medical institute, Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, was entrusted with the said responsibility.

Shija Hospitals and Research Institute was one of the partners of the Sangai festival.

Asked whether the failure of the ambulance or para-medics to arrive at the spot would be probed or not Chettry answered, 'something will be done' .

With no ambulance in sight the injured cart driver put on a mini truck

"Some officers of the Tourism Department received threats for going ahead with the festival despite the imposition of the three days bandh," said Chettry and added that the threats came after the initial report that entertainment programmes were exempted from the purview of the bandh was refuted by the group concerned.

The Tourism Commissioner further said that a fire tender from the Fire Brigade was stationed at the festival venue round the clock in case fire breaks out.

The line got cut before the Commissioner could answer to a query on whether any back up arrangements for ambulance and para-medics were put in place.

Managing Director of Shija Hospital, Dr Kh Palin on being contacted admitted that the driver of the ambulance arrived a little late at the festival venue yesterday and since no one else knew how to drive the ambulance it could not be sent on time to transport the cart driver.

"I have taken serious note of the matter and the driver has also been pulled up," said Dr Palin.

"Three injured persons were transported by our ambulance to our hospital for treatment," he said and added that all of them were discharged after first aid.

A source from the Fire Brigade Control room said that a rapid response vehicle was stationed at the venue of the festival round the clock.

"During daytime the vehicle was parked near that booking counter and at night it was moved into the venue of the festival itself," he said and added that back up measures were put in place at the headquarters in case of any eventuality.