While the authorities are searching without success for sub-divisional magistrate Ajay Arora who is feared dead after falling into the Mandakini river while crossing a temporary bridge to reach his camp at Garudchatti on Wednesday afternoon, public representatives have once again started making statements post-accident.
Vidhan Sabha Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, who met Arora’s family at their home in Dehradun, said that lack of meticulous planning in relief efforts is the cause of mishaps involving those deputed to relief works. The Almora MP, Pradeep Tamta, said that he would request the State Government to accord martyr status to uniformed personnel and Government officials who died while undertaking rescue and relief efforts.
The Congress-led State Government has been facing contradictory statements from its Cabinet ministers and leaders ever since Vijay Bahuguna assumed chief ministership more than a year ago. On Wednesday afternoon, SDM Ajay Arora, who was posted for relief works in Rudraprayag district, fell off a temporary bridge on the Mandakini and has been missing since then.
On Thursday, Kunjwal visited Arora’s home in Dehradun and met his family members. Talking to media persons later, the Assembly Speaker said that the absence of a meticulous plan in addition to the hurried and careless approach of the State authorities is responsible for the mishaps during relief works in disaster affected areas. “I have heard that Arora was suffering from blood pressure problems, but was sent to Kedarnath for relief work inspite of his reluctance due to health grounds. Better planning and careful execution of relief works will help prevent mishaps,” he said.
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna talked to the Arora family on phone and after empathising with them, expressed hope about him being found alive.
The Chief Minister assured that the family will be taken care of by the State Government while the search for Arora will be conducted on a war footing. Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Amrita Rawat said that nowadays most people suffer from blood pressure and hyper tension related problems.