Security forces in post-quake activities

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Nov. 10: Security forces deployed in the earthquake-affected areas in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts have been performing rescue and relief activities effectively.

Hundreds of personnel of the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force were deployed in various affected areas of the districts minutes after the 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal’s western region shortly before midnight on November 3.

According to the data of the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), 153 people have died and 364 were injured by the earthquake until 10 am on November 9. The quake caused major damage in two districts – Jajarkot and Rukum West while structural damages have been reported in 11 other districts as well.

“For the post-quake activities, 915 Nepali Army personnel, 811 Nepal Police personnel and 420 APF personnel have been deployed in Jajarkot and Rukum West,” read an update published by the NEOC on November 9.

According to the Nepali Army, six helicopters have been kept in Surkhet to assist in rescue and relief distribution activities. The security forces started the post-quake activities by prioritising the search for individuals trapped inside debris and transporting rescued individuals to a proper health centre at the earliest.

 “More than 60 medical personnel of the Nepali Army have been deployed in Rukum’s Chaurjahari and Surkhet’s Lamidanda for the treatment of injured individuals. More than three battalions of the force have been deployed for the rescue and relief distribution activities,” informed the Nepali Army through its Military Programme’s recent episode.

Likewise, Nepal Police also informed that hundreds of officers were continuously helping the locals and victims after the earthquake. 

“At least 1,000 police officers are deployed for different post-quake activities in the western region. We are supporting the relief distribution and other activities by coordinating with other stakeholders,” informed the Nepal Police Headquarters.

According to Nepal Police, 47 of its buildings in different areas also sustained damage in the earthquake.

“Five police officers were also injured in the earthquake. They have been discharged after treatment and have resumed duty,” said Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Bhim Prasad Dhakal.

DIGP Dhakal, who is also the chief of the Karnali Province Police Office, added, “Our officers were deployed as soon as the destruction was reported. We coordinated with other security forces for the rescue and relief activities.”

“Two medical teams led by Dr. Roshan Parajuli and Dr. Nischal Ghimire have been deployed in Jajarkot District Hospital and Rukum West’s Mission Hospital respectively,” informed the APF Headquarters.

The APF also said that the force has also constructed temporary settlements for the victims whose houses were destroyed by the earthquake. 

“Temporary tents have been constructed on the premises of Tribhuvan Higher Secondary School and Rawat Village in Bheri Municipality. Similar tents have also been constructed in Sanibheri of Rukum West,” said the APF.

DIGP Dhakal informed that 80 per cent of relief distribution activities have been completed while temporary shelters have been constructed by security forces in 70 different places. Nepali Army, Nepal Police and APF stressed that the post-quake activities would continue until they need to.