CM: If need be, SDRF men will be sent to Nepal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 27

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Monday said though the State Disaster Relief Force (SDR) was deployed for the Char Dham yatra that had just taken off, if need be the government would make arrangements for deploying the force in the relief operations in the earthquake-hit neighbouring Nepal.

“During his telephonic conversation Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had asked us to send SDRF personnel for the relief operation. At the moment, the SDRF is engaged in Char Dham duties, clearing the path for the pilgrims. But it is our duty to help the disaster-struck people of Nepal. If need be, we would be willing to make arrangements. But on the request of the Home Minister, we have decided to send 25 buses carrying basic relief material from Tanakpur and Rudrapur bus depots for Nepal and have also been asked to airlift tourists in case some of them are stuck in the areas bordering Uttarakhand,” he said.

He said the government had also decided to send four officers who had played an active role in the relief operations during the 2013 disaster to Nepal. “Along with these officers, the district magistrates of Udham Singh Nagar have also been asked to collect high value articles such as tents, blankets etc to be dispatched to Nepal,” said Rawat.

Regarding the status of 16 senior citizens from Dehradun who are said to be stuck at a hotel in Pokhra in Nepal, the Chief Minister said the state government has been told that they would be airlifted by the Indian Air Force.