DJ Venkatesh
Port Blair, Feb 07: Fire Service Jawans, who play a crucial role to save Islanders in case of any disaster, never thought that a simple Fire Call at Havelock Island, will become a disastrous experience for them.
On 6th Feb 2014 night at around 10 PM the Fire Station of Havelock received a message from PS Havelock about a Fire Accident at Havelock No-3 Village. As it is required, one Fire Tender reached the spot within no time, much before the arrival of PS Havelock Team. But instead of cooperating with the rescuers, the villagers under the leadership of a few political leaders started abusing the Fire Service team.
It is learnt that is was Mr. Subhash the Ex Pradhan of Havelock Island who started abusing the Fire Service Jawans first followed by Mr. Kartick of Dolphin resort. Not only this, they started manhandling the S.I of Fire Service Mr. Devender Singh. When other Fire Service Jawans came to rescue the SI, other villagers also attacked the Fire Service team, injuring some of the Fire Service Jawan badly.
Not only this, some staffs of PS Havelock also suffered injuries when they came for the rescue of Fire Service Jawans.
When the second Fire Tender reached the spot public started pelting stones on the Fire Tender, damaging both the Fire Tenders.
Adding to the plight, a group of villagers also went inside the Hospital, where SI Devender Singh was admitted and thrashed him again.
Soon, the report was passed to Port Blair and a police and IRBn team was rushed to Havelock to maintain the law and order situation.
The Villagers were angry for delay in action from the side of Fire Brigade but as per report no one had intimated the Fire Service about the accident the first call regarding the Fire Accident was received by Havelock Police Station.
Such unruly behavior of some people is a great source of discouragement for the Fire Service Jawans. Nearly four years back also similar accident had occurred in Havelock and Kadamtala Island.
There is a need to take some stringent action against those who abused law and attacked the police and Fire Service Jawans and obstructed them from performing their duties.
