Editor,
A tragedy befell Shillong on Aug 12 last and a shame that lives were lost. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. This incident and few before where another tree fell near St Mary’s School ( thankfully no one was hurt) and a fuel truck on fire at a petrol pump, shows the preparedness or lack thereof of in the government’s disaster management manual. The response and recovery methods are hopelessly antiquated. Its amazing to see that a simple act of cordoning off the area and not allowing the morbidly curious public to make it a spectacle and a mela was not followed. I think the work of rescuing people trapped under the tree or debris; of providing emergency medical services which might save lives and generally clearing the area would happen at a much rapid pace if the area is simply restricted to by-standers. Not to mention ensuring the safety of the aforementioned public. The same was seen recently, when a fuel laden truck caught fire in Nongrim Hills. People ( including young kids ) ran towards the inferno to take mobile shots. Feeble attempts were made by a few policemen and locals to ask people to move away from the scene but it was too little too late. If the truck had exploded ( and there was high chance of that happening), I daresay a lot of lives would have been lost and it would have resulted in a large number of injuries. Not just from the explosion but from the stampede of people fleeing the scene. It was just luck that stopped a greater tragedy from happening. Such scenarios can be easily avoided by establishing an adequate perimeter around the place. The first act of the people in charge of the situation should be to restrict access to the area. Just commonsense!
Yours etc.,
- K. Gurung,
Via email
A callous government!
Editor,
Are we an independent nation, let alone a state with empathy or a city of conscience held by moral law? We regale the concept of freedom, while being enslaved trying to chase it. It’s a paradox of this democratic nation. I am disillusioned about the morals of our state government towards the recent incident where three lives were lost in an unnatural death. There victims did not deserve to die. There are causes and consequences and the government has to take the responsibility for what happened.
If we talk about road safety and natural calamities, there are two things involved. Road safety does not only mean preventing one car from hitting another or a car hitting a pedestrian. It also means saving somebody’s lives by putting all necessary efforts to prevent any kind of mishap. There actually is a method deployed for road safety, but is it implemented? Talking about natural calamities, no one expects to be caught in a potentially dangerous and extreme situation. If the unthinkable does occur, having a plan and knowing what could have been done can make all the difference.
Accidents do not happen; they are caused. Where is our safety if we are not safe in our own roads? The government which regulates our lives and is responsible for law and order should ensure safety first. After all the Government’s prime duty is to protect its citizens. The safety we are referring to here is while walking or commuting on the road. A big tree and an old one at that, is bound to fall due to relentless rainfall. So should the government and its statutory bodies set up for this task during this time of crisis not be held accountable? Aren’t they partly responsible for this natural calamity? All living beings be it a man or a tree has its own life span. If the department that takes care of the Governor’s garden had reported about the vulnerability of that tree leaning towards the main road then the incident might have been averted. And if they did report why was no action taken? Regulations about old trees growing next to busy streets or public places should be in place. The regulators should not be sitting at their desks but, moving around.
If the dead do not receive justice then justice itself is questionable. Giving just and fair treatment to the victims is the sole responsibility of the government. One soul lost could mean a bread earner lost. Natural calamities such as this one could have been prevented coming as it does from a government residence with a well-equipped staff to take care of every detail. The bereaved families should not be compensated by a token sum from the Chief Minister’s relief fund. I firmly believe that the loss of a bread earner should be equally compensated by a government sanctioned post from the victim’s family depending on their legibility. Likewise, even those injured should avail free medical treatment with a decent compensation. This is the least they can do to let the deceased persons rest in peace. The state cannot take away lives which it cannot give back.
Yours etc.,
- Bareh
Via email