Army provides shelter to fire victims

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, March 8: The army has provided shelter to families who were affected by fire which broke out at MES quarters at Rilbong Point on Saturday night.

According to army’s Public Relations Officer Amit Mahajan, residents whose houses got damaged, were given shelter in the Army Holiday Home.  

“All families are being shifted to altertive accommodation within the Cantonment so as to eble them settle earliest; especially in view of the Board Exam of some children in these households,” Mahajan said.

The fire also destroyed the text books of students appearing in the ongoing board  examitions besides clothes and other belongings.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 101 Area visited the affected families and assuaged their feelings.

The GOC 101 Area reassured them of all possible assistance in rehabilitation. An amount of Rs. 25,000 was announced to be provided as immediate relief to each family by the General Officer.

The Defence PRO also said that the presence of senior officers from Shillong Cantonment, 101 Area and SP Meghalaya Fire and Emergency Services, Mary Gnora T Sangma was greatly reassuring to the affected families.

According to Mahajan, the joint efforts of Army, Air Force and Meghalaya Fire and Emergency Services personnel brought the fire under control in about three hours and prevented it from spreading to the neighboring barracks.

Eleven households were affected in the fire, practically losing the shelter over their families. Due to timely action taken by the residents themselves and Army authorities there was no loss of human lives.