The Tripura government on Monday demanded the stationing of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) battalions in the State and sought heavy rescue equipment to face disaster situations.
The demands were made at a meeting attended by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member K.M. Singh, Tripura Chief Secretary S.K. Panda and senior disaster management officials.
Mr. Singh, accompanied by three NDMA officials, also held a separate meeting with top police officers. The central team was on a visit to oversee ‘response arrangements’ in the State, situated in the earthquake-prone Zone V. Swapan Saha, Secretary on disaster management made a presentation on the requirements of the State.
“Only one NDRF battalion is stationed in Guwahati. In the event of an emergency it would be time-consuming to move the force to Tripura,” Mr. Saha told journalists ahead of the meeting. He said the deployment of at least one NDRF battalion in the State is essential.
The State government also demanded the NDMA to cover all eight districts, under its various programmes. It also urged the delegation to adequately equip all 12 battalions of the paramilitary Tripura State Rifles for rescue and relief operations.
The Tripura government is worried, particularly in the wake of the building collapse at Savar in Bangladesh that left hundreds dead and injured many more.
