Mock drill fiasco: 4 fire officers suspended

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Director General of Police, fire and emergency services, Mr A.R. Infant, has ordered the suspension of four fire department officials in connection with the death of 22-year-old C.R. Nalina, an assistant welfare officer with Bombay Rayon Fashions during the mock fire drill on Friday morning.

The four officials have been kept under suspension as, prima facie, negligence was established in the incident.

The officials who have been suspended are Mr Devaraju, District Fire Officer of Peenya fire station, Mr K. Narayanaswamy, District Fire Officer of Hebbal fire station, Mr Nisar Ahmed, Fire Station Officer of High Grounds fire station and Mr Mariyanna, Fire Station Officer of Yeshwanthpur fire station.

The four have been placed under suspension with immediate effect till further orders as the preliminary investigation established negligence on their part.

Mr Infant said a departmental enquiry was pending against them and, based on the final report, further action will be decided against the erring officials.

“Further investigations are being carried out to ascertain the role of other fire personnel in the tragedy. If some other personnel are found to be at fault, action will be taken against them also”, he said.

Mr Infant also said the Bombay Rayon Fashion Limited company had come forward to give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the victim’s family.

Meanwhile, the RMC Yard police who are investigating the case, are yet to name the fire department officials whose alleged negligence cost the life of Ms Nalina.

“The case is being investigated. We are waiting for the report from the department of fire and emergency services to know the names of officials who are being held negligent by them. Based on the report, further action will be initiated,” the RMC Yard police said.

On Friday morning, the garment factory had organised a mock drill after requesting the fire and emergency service department to conduct the rescue operations.

Ms Nalina, who volunteered to take part in the mock drill organized by the fire and emergency service department, lost her life while she was taking part in the rope rescue act.

She was a master’s degree holder in Social Work (MSW) and had joined the garment factory six months back. She fell from the third floor of the four-storey building after the ‘manila’ rope which she was fastened to, gave way.