Kolkata, 09 October (H.S.): The West Bengal government has decided to recognise and honour frontline personnel who risked their lives during the recent natural disaster in North Bengal. Firefighters, SDRF personnel, police officers, engineers, and doctors involved in rescue and relief operations will be felicitated for their courage and dedication, government sources said on Thursday.

A senior official from the Secretariat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the decision was taken to acknowledge the exemplary role of those who served during the disaster that claimed at least 32 lives. “We have decided to award firefighters, SDRF personnel, police officers, engineers, and doctors who put their lives on the line during the rescue operations. The Chief Minister has also approved this decision,” the official added.

According to the official, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit North Bengal again on Monday. Her itinerary will include a visit to Darjeeling, where she will assess the ground-level progress of reconstruction and repair work and preside over a high-level administrative meeting.

Meanwhile, the state government is preparing to raise objections against the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), alleging that the central public sector unit released water from its dams without prior notice. This, the government claims, caused flood-like conditions in several South Bengal districts during the Durga Puja festival. The Chief Minister had recently accused DVC of deliberately releasing water, though the corporation has denied the allegations.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh