Kyrmen admits SDRF ill-equipped

SHILLONG: Disaster Management Minister Kyrmen Shylla has admitted that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is not well equipped and discussions will be held to deal with the matter.
The minister’s admission comes in the wake of the drowning of three labourers in a 60-foot deep well in Mawdiangdiang on May 9. Their bodies were recovered late in the evening by SDRF and Fire service personnel.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Shylla said, “The SDRF still lacks the necessary equipment. It is high time that we become well-equipped. An SDRF rescuer almost suffocated when he tried to go down the well to rescue the labourers,” he said.
He said the SDRF will not only be provided with the equipment but training of staff is also important. He informed that meetings with officials of the department will be held to discuss on the equipment to be procured.
On the other hand, a state government official on Monday said that the government has already sanctioned Rs 1 crore to buy necessary equipment to help the SDRF carry out rescue work.
Further, the senior government official said that Rs 1 crore was sanctioned a year ago and some devices were purchased by the Civil Defence and Home Guards department.
Asked on the compensation to the family members of victims, the minister said the department will adhere to the norms pertaining to such incidents.