State to train 2,000 cops to tackle emergencies: CM

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 27

As a fallout of the Nepal earthquake and fine tune it’s preparedness, the Uttarakhand government today decided to train around 2000 policemen in emergency operations so that they could act as a backup team with the State Disaster Relief Force (SDRF).

“While reviewing our preparedness to any eventuality, we have decided to train our police jawans through the SDR. One week training would be provided to the young policemen,” said Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

Further an amount of Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for release to the district response authorities (in districts) for carrying out upgradation of their systems.

Beside, the Chief Secretary N Ravi Shankar will convene a meeting with the civil defence outfits (NCC, scouts, etc) so that these could be activated in areas that fall in high seismic zones for action along with SDRF.

The Chief Minister also said that the government has decided to set up a motor bike force on the lines of 108 emergency ambulance services for providing medical aid. “This service will be funded by the state and would be deployed in towns. It would be able to immediately reach the affected, in case of emergency in the shortest possible time,” said Rawat.

He said that the state is also planning to come up with a trauma Act on the lines of developed countries to strengthen emergency preparedness of the state.

He said compulsory instructions had been given to private builders to ensure construction of houses and commercial properties is earthquake compliant. It may be mentioned that the entire state of Uttarakhand falls under high seismic activity and has been witness to two earthquakes in the past.