Meghalaya CM calls for disaster preparedness

Shillong, Jun 10 (UNI) Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy today called for proper disaster preparedness in Meghalaya as it is an earthquake prone area.

''As the earthquake would strike at an unexpected time, people should always have some of the basic equipment in order to rescue the victims,'' Dr Roy said in his inaugural address on ''Disaster Preparedness in Meghalaya'' at Lady Keane College here.

The Chief Minister said the government would further train the police, home guards, village defence forces and the people for rescue and rehabilitation.

Recalling the great earthquake of 1897, which created huge havoc in Meghalaya (undivided Bengal), Dr Roy said Shella, his ancestral village located in the state's southern slope of Indo-Bangladesh border, was mostly affected.

The village was flattened completely and locals were forced to move to other places owing to the government's inability to help the victims, he added.

Meanwhile, the 128 battalion of Border Security Force, which has been inducted under National Disaster Management Authority demonstrated rescue operations.

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