SHIMLA: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Wednesday said the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha has unanimously passed a resolution declaring the state as “disaster-hit” and urged the Narendra Modi-led Central Government to announce a special relief package.
Talking to reporters outside the Assembly, Agnihotri said the government has already rescued more than 3,000 stranded people from different parts of the state, including pilgrims stuck during the Mani Mahesh Yatra in Chamba and tourists in the Kullu-Manali belt.
“Our entire administration, police, revenue officials and ministers are working day and night on the ground. Four helicopters are stationed in Chamba and as soon as the weather clears, sorties will begin. Local helicopters will also be pressed into service,” he said.
He cautioned against rumor-mongering, referring to actor-turned-MP Kangana Ranaut’s recent tweet about Banali landslide in Mandi . “Our police worked all day to clear the track.
There is no such situation as being projected no one died or buried there. This is not the time to spread panic, but to stand together. The government is fully alert and sensitive to the suffering of the people,” Agnihotri stressed.
The Deputy CM said Himachal has suffered huge damage to roads, bridges, water supply lines, and tourism infrastructure. “Since 2023, disasters have been hitting the state one after the other.
This time too, the losses are massive. That is why the House has passed a resolution urging the Centre to declare Himachal’s disaster a national calamity and announce a special package,” he added.
Agnihotri also said the government is arranging buses through the HRTC to evacuate people wherever needed.
“We have no shortage of resources. Whether it is buses or helicopters, we are ready to mobilize everything for people’s safety. This is not about politics, this is about people’s lives and homes,” he said, appealing to the opposition to cooperate in this hour of crisis.
Meanwhile, the stranded pilgrims stage protest at Bharmour as there was an uncertainty about the restoration and rescue of pilgrims stranded at different places on way to Manimahesh.
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