The Manipur chief minister said in a public address at the launching of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan at Ema Keithel and the market area in Imphal that the fire at Dzukou Valley is almost under control. Biren Singh further expressed confidence of dousing the wildfire within the next few days.
The chief minister launched the 108 days programme of the BJP Manipur Pradesh under the theme “Clean Manipur Healthy Manipur”, under the “Clean India Mission”.
Regarding the wildfire, it is affecting the popular tourist spot for adventure and trekkers at the border between Nagaland and Manipur.
Currently, teams of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF), state disaster relief force, police, fire fighters and local volunteers are also on ground, trying to contain the wildfire. Indian Air Force (IAF) is also deploying four helicopters to assist the teams in controlling the forest fire.
The chief minister then thanked the authorities concerned of the Centre, particularly Union Home minister Amit Shah for providing all possible supports in the efforts to put the fire under control.
He claimed that the Union Home minister had readily extended help on hearing the news of wildfire blazing the Dzukou Valley. “He (Union Home minister) immediately ordered sending NDRF and IAF helicopters to join the state government’s effort to douse the fire,” Biren Singh added.
“No sooner had I tweeted about the wildfire blazing the Dzukou Valley after an aerial survey, Amit Shahji immediately contacted me over phone and assured sending the NDRF team to assist the state in controlling the fire,” he said. Within 10 minutes after the Union Home minister had contacted him, the Union joint secretary (Home) contacted the state chief secretary to know what the state government needed for controlling the fire.
The state government requested to deploy IAF helicopters to assist the joint team to control the fire, he said.
“With the assistance of the NDRF and IAF helicopters, the fire is almost under control. We will be able to control the fire very soon,” the chief minister assured.
NNN