Public irate over “indifferent attitude” of police and fire department
DIMAPUR, MAY 1 (MExN): In a tragic incident on May 3, a young boy’s body was recovered from a dry well in Chumukedima Ward 9. The deceased has been identified as Raj Limbu, a class 8 student, who hails from Assam and was living with a family member at Chumukedima. It could not be ascertained as to how the boy ended up in the well. No police report was filed and it was informed that his body was taken to Assam by family members on May 1 morning.
Several rescue attempts had to be made to recover the boy’s body, in course of which two rescuers themselves fell unconscious and had to be saved by the public. Bohoto Achumi, Convener of Chumukedima Ward 9 public, informed that Lumpisa Sangtam, a class ten student, volunteered to rescue Limbu. However, after entering the well, he fell unconscious and was stranded. Then, Basheer, a pharmacist went into the well with a rope tied to his waist but fell unconscious and had to be pulled by the public.
Public contacted the Fire Brigade station at Chumukedima and the police. However, Achumi informed that the Fire Brigade personnel “did not turn up even after half an hour.” “It was only after Limbu’s guardian personally went to the Fire Brigade station that they came,” he added. It was informed that after two of the Fire Brigade personnel made unsuccessful attempts to rescue the boys, “they gave up.” He stated that the police turned up only after the rescue and recovery operation was completed. Khasita Sangtam, father of Lumpisa, went into the well with a rope tied around his waist and pulled up his son. Another rescuer, Imnawapang went down and retrieved the body of Raj Limbu.
The public of Chumukedima Ward 9 have expressed displeasure at the inability of police and fire department personnel to act swiftly. Achumi stated that that the Fire Brigade personnel “did not bring any rescue equipment, even a rope, and some of them were in inebriated condition.” “The public expected that being trained personnel, they should take the lead in the rescue operation, not dumb spectators,” he added.
“The casual and indifferent attitude of Fire Brigade personnel and police has left a big question mark on whether these personnel are capable of handling emergency situations despite all their trainings on disaster management and others,” stated a press note from the public of Chumukedima Ward 9. While lauding the acts of Khasita Sangtam and Imnayapang, it appealed for the state government to “enquire into the incident” and also to reward Khasita and Imnayapang for their “exemplary and brave acts.”
