CISF sub-inspector gets recommended for President’s medal

Without losing a moment — which proved crucial in the end because the Fire Brigade reached the spot eight hours late –, Sub-Inspector Kumar and his 42 colleagues let themselves be guided by their conscience.

The CISF personnel, who are trained in combat, rescue and fire-fight activities, showing great presence of mind, chose not to take part in the regular ceremonial parade and flag-hoisting ceremony held regularly on the occasion of Republic Day, but instead begin rescue measures to save those trapped in the debris of the collapsed tower, CISF Commandant N C Sood said today.

The presence of mind shown by the CISF personnel helped save the lives of 36 people including women and children, Sood said, adding that such was their zeal that on many occasions, the jawans became emotional while removing a dead body. He cited an instance when a CISF jawan was rendered speechless and dazed for a few seconds when a critically injured baby died in his arms.

The CISF Commandant said even though the CISF personnel did not have any equipment to carry out the rescue operations, which they did with ropes and shovel, the situation did not deter them from undertaking the herculean task that lay ahead.

Sood said he has recommended Sub-Inspector Ashwani Kumar’s name for the President’s Police Medal for showing courage and determination in saving the lives of quake victims.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramaswami of the CISF has also been recommended for an award for ensuring smooth conduct of the rescue operation at the Manasi Tower, Sood said.

The CISF Commandant said there were still 20 to 25 people trapped inside the rubble and added that a crane has been requisitioned from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to speed up the rescue operations.