Union Ministers arrive
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 04 2016:
Under the instruction of the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju and Union Minister of State for Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) Dr Jitendra Singh visited the State, after a massive 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the State today, to assess the situation.
Briefing media persons on his arrival at the airport, the Union Minister stated that as informed to him by the Principal Secretary (Home) the damage of the earthquake could be more.
There is high possibility of causalities increasing in days to come.
The Minister was expected to meet Chief Minister Okram Ibobi later today.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with the State force will join hands to help evacuate victims of the earthquake, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh, while visiting the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) upon his arrival where maximum number of earthquake victims were admitted, conveyed his condolence and sympathy to the deceased families on behalf of the Indian Government, assuring that all kinds of assistance will be provided to the affected families.
He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the development.
The Indian Government is there to stand by people of Northeast especially the people Manipur in this hour of grief, said Dr Jitendra Singh.
Earlier today, two teams of NDRF with 35 members each led by Deputy Commandant MS Pandey is here to help the State force in evacuating victims of the earthquake.
Addressing media persons on their arrival today at the Imphal International Airport, Pandey stated that they would be stationed at 1st MR battalion and further carry out the instructions of the State Administrator.
Both the teams are equipped with all state-of-the-art equipment to tackle any form of difficulties in carrying out their duties, he added.