Inferno jolts senses of Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 24 2014:
Noting that narrowness of the lanes and by-lanes of Imphal city severely hampered rescue operations as well as accessibility by fire brigades in the event of major fire like today's Major Khul inferno, the Chief Minister has highlighted the need for proper planning of Imphal city.
Stating that eviction and land acquisition is a tricky process, Ibobi sought public cooperation as and when the Government comes up with a systematic plan for Imphal city.
Apart from hampering rescue operations, unplanned status of Imphal city often turned out to be a major obstacle in maintaining law and order.
Very often, police found themselves handicapped while chasing unlawful elements because there is no space to drive in their vehicles.
Admitting there is acute shortage of manpower as well as equipment in Manipur Fire Service, Ibobi pledged to make up all these shortages.
Speculating that the inferno might have broke out from electric short circuit or leaky LPG cylinder, the Chief Minister appealed to all the people to use electricity and LPG with due care.
A thief may run way with some articles but fire mishaps do not leave anything behind, Ibobi added.
Echoing the same point of view, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam stated that the shortages plaguing Fire Service would be discussed in a Cabinet meeting today.
Congested traffic often cripples police personnel when the situation demands instant action or reaction thereby taking its toll on law and order too, Gaikhangam stated while seeking public support in the Government's efforts to expand and improve major roads.
Speaker Th Lokeshore too came to the spot and he was visibly infuriated by the slackness of fire tenders as well as police personnel during the rescue operations.
Many other Ministers, MLAs, the DGP and a number of police officers came to the spot and inspected the scale of devastation.