Sangma stresses on simplification of operatiol procedures

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, June 6: Synergy through simplification of the operatiol procedures of the armed forces and the civil authorities in times of tural calamities was emphasized by the Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and the Air Officer Commanding–in Chief (AOC-in-C) Air Marshall Anil Khosla ahead of the three-day exercise on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster at Upper Shillong Advanced landing ground on Wednesday. Addressing a joint press conference at the Eastern Air Command (EAC) headquarters on Tuesday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma called for re-auditing of the entire co-ordition that aims at mitigating disaster and relief in times of tural calamities. “Re-auditing the past procedures will go a long way in bridging civil-defence authorities co-ordition on issues related to unforeseen disaster-its magement and mitigation”, Sangma stated , adding, “We wanted that this upcoming exercise will ensure better synergy that will be in sync with the preparedness and mitigation plans.” The AOC-in-C said the armed forces are always geared up, waiting for any alarm bell to react to any eventuality. However, he was apt that there are certain procedures that needed to be refining in order to overcome the challenges pertaining to disaster relief and mitigation.  The AOC-in-C whose headquarter is hosting the massive mock drill exercise said, “a simulated scerio is planned to showcase and practice the synergistic capabilities of fire services, hospitals, surveillance, police department, traffic police, district magement authorities at various levels with the Indian Air Force (IAF). tiol Disaster Mangament Agency (NDMA) consultant Major General V.K Dutta stressed on the need to have regular lisoning between the civil and the defence authorities right from the district level. “Frequent meetings at the field level will help in synchronizing the team and reduced the degree of disastrous growth at any time and at any place,” felt the NDMA consultant.

The massive exercise involves the Indian, Air force, Army, vy, CRPF, BSF, NCC, IDS Meghalaya State Secretariat, DC Office, Shillong, Meghalaya State Disaster Magement, the tiol Disaster magement Authority, tiol Disaster Relief Force. Besides displaying the strategies of the stakeholders, the exercise-in the calamity prone region of the Northeast and adjoining states aims to synergize the efforts of all stake holders in executing HADR operations.