Excelsior Correspondent
IMPHAL (MANIPUR), Jan 4: On the instructions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of State in PMO with Independent Charge of Northeast, Dr Jitendra Singh arrived here today to take an assessment of the damages caused by the earthquake that hit the region early this morning and also to review the relief and rescue work.
During his visit, Dr Jitendra Singh visited the injured in the hospital where he inquired about their well being and also personally conducted clinical examination on some of them. He gave a standing instruction to the attending doctors that if any further help is required from the Centre, this would be available to them and also informed them that the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) is arranging to airlift a team of doctors from Delhi in order to supplement the healthcare infrastructure.
Dr Jitendra Singh also took an assessment of some of the important buildings and bridges that have suffered damage due to earthquake. The affected buildings include a block of Imphal Airport building, Viewland Church at Ukhrul Town, the ground-floor wall of BSNL building near Old Secretariat and Nambol electricity office, Bishnupur.
Later, Dr Jitendra Singh held a review meeting with Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh which was also attended by Union MoS Home Kiren Rijiju. He conveyed to Chief Minister that his visit within hours of earthquake having taken place was meant to reassure the State Government and the people of Northeast, particularly Manipur, that the Central Government firmly stood by them at this hour of natural calamity and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally following up the relief and rescue operations.
Addressing media persons in the evening, Dr Jitendra Singh said the NDMA and NDRF had lost no time in responding to the situation and that two teams of NDRF were immediately deputed in the morning. About the injured, he said, most of them suffered from limb injuries which are not of fatal nature. He also informed that the power supply, which had got disrupted after the earthquake, had been restored and a team of power experts would also be arriving soon from New Delhi. Similarly, he said, Geology Survey Experts will be visiting the epicentre of earthquake and providing their assessment. So far, he said, 6 deaths had been reported while the number of injured was around 60.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Prime Minister had spoken to the chief ministers of affected States early in the morning and appreciated the promptness with which NDMA and NDRF responded, saying that India’s disaster management capability is acknowledged as one of the best in the world.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
