Faced problems during rescue ops in J-K: NDRF

Ravi S Singh

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 28

In a document, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has listed law and order problem and complex socio-political situation in Jammu and Kashmir as major challenges faced by it in conducting rescue and relief operations during the floods in the state last year.

Based on the “lesson learned”, the NDRF has suggested proper security arrangement for rescue teams in exigencies in future. It has said police representatives must accompany the teams deployed for security reasons.

A comprehensive document, “Role of NDRF in J&K Flood — 2014”, released by the Union Home Minister on Raising Day of the NDRF, states it was difficult to conduct operations in areas with hostile and impatient crowd.

“Stone-pelting and throwing of red hot charcoal balls of kangari at places was also faced by the NDRF during the flood rescue operation,” the report says.

It mentions that a mob tried to prevent the NDRF from launching boats and threatened to burn all equipment, if any attempt for rescue and evacuation was made. Near Zero Bridge, troops were attacked by a mob in which one of its responders was stabbed, it says.

The agency said it faced security risk by operating unarmed in areas with “high” militancy.