Firemen want police protection in slums

Union alleges firemen were beaten up and hosepipes were stolen during last week's firefighting operation in Garib nagar

Firemen want police protection in slums

Union alleges firemen were beaten up and hosepipes were stolen during last week's firefighting operation in Garib nagar

THE experience of dousing last week's fire at Garib Nagar seems to have scared even the most courageous breed of government servants the city's firemen.

After some slum dwellers allegedly attacked a few firemen and others tried to make off with hosepipes during the firefighting operation, the Municipal Fire Services Union (MFSU) has shot off a letter to the BMC asking for police protection before they enter any slum to put off a fire.

Advocate Sukhdev Kashid, general secretary, MFSU, said, "During the Garib Nagar fire, some slum dwellers attacked the firemen and impeded their work. Many residents even tried running away with the hosepipe.

As fire officers, they were just doing their job of dousing the fire. The violent people need to be taken care of."

"Four firemen, including one fire bus operator, were injured and what we heard was that they were all attacked by the residents," he added.

Chief Fire Officer Uday Tatkare said, "We have worked during riots and have managed to douse fires even then. But at slums, things become difficult as people get violent thinking we are not paying enough attention to their houses.
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The same thing happened at Garib Nagar. The area was large and our main motive was to curb the fire, but many do not understand that."

Tatkare said the fire department will do its job of putting the fire out but the police should interfere if things become violent.

"Whenever there is a law and order problem, the police should take the initiative and handle the situation. This will allow us to do our work smoothly," Tatkare said.

The debris after the fire gutted the shanties at Garib Nagar last week. Though there were no human casualties, the fire destroyed everything in sight. (Below) Relief aid has been pouring in for the residents since then

Garib Nagar resident Qadir Ahmed admitted that there was a scuffle but said it was inevitable given the situation.

"The firemen were dousing the fire on the main road, ignoring the bigger blaze inside. They also couldn't find water initially. People got angry after this.

Such things happen in situations like this as everyone wants to save their homes," he said.

1,500
Number of families that were rendered homeless in the Garib Nagar fire