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Journalism of Courage
AHMEDABAD, JAN 28: It is rare for security personnel to defy convention and still get recommended for a President’s Police Medal. But such has been the case with Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Sub-Inspector Ashwani Kumar, whose presence of mind helped save 36 lives.
Kumar was getting ready with his battalion colleagues to take part in the ceremonial parade to be held on the Republic Day when the earthquake rocked the state. Located near the CISF’s barracks in Vastrapur area on Satellite Road in Ahmedabad, the ten-storeyed Manasi Tower collapsed under the impact of the quake.
Without losing a moment — which proved crucial in the end because the Fire Brigade arrived eight hours later — Sub-Inspector Kumar and his 42 colleagues let themselves be guided by their conscience.
The CISF personnel, trained in combat, rescue and fire-fighting operations, showed great presence of mind and began rescue operations to save those trapped under the debris of the collapsed tower, CISF Commandant N.C. Sood said yesterday.
The CISF personnel managed to save lives of 36 people, including women and children, Sood said, adding that on many occasions, the jawans became emotional while removing a dead body. He cited an instance when a jawan was dazed for some time when a critically injured baby died in his arms.
The CISF Commandant said that even though the personnel did not have any equipment to carry out the rescue operations, the situation did not deter them from undertaking the 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 has also been recommended for an award for ensuring smooth conduct of the rescue operation at the Manasi Tower, Sood said. The CISF Commandant added there were still 20 to 25 people trapped under the rubble and added that a crane has been requisitioned from the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to speed up the rescue operations.
