Additional chief secretary, home and political, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, inaugurated the new fire and emergency services building at Katlicherra in Hailakandi district on Thursday, as a part of the government’s initiative to revamp fire service stations across the state.

The building was built by the PWD (buildings) at a cost of about Rs 2.07 crore in four years since July 10, 2015. The fire service station will attend all fire calls and emergency situations in Katlicherra and its adjoining areas.

In his inaugural address, Krishna said the government was taking initiatives to modernise and strengthen fire service stations. Underscoring the need to adopt fire safety measures, he urged the people to cooperate with fire brigade personnel for timely action to minimise loss of properties.

Hailakandi deputy commissioner Keerthi Jalli urged fire personnel to maintain the infrastructure and consider it as their own asset.

Special director-general of police (border) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, senior officials of the district administration and state fire and emergency services personnel were there.

On Wednesday night, Krishna discussed the law and order situation in Barak Valley with the deputy commissioners and police superintendents of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts. Mahanta made a presentation on law and order plans in the valley post-NRC publication.

Krishna asked the officials to remain vigilant after the release of NRC. He said the circle officers should report to the higher authorities if any problem relating to religious places occurs in the valley.

On Wednesday, Krishna and Mahanta, accompanied by senior officials, had visited the India-Bangladesh border in Karimganj district and held discussions with top BSF officials. They were accompanied by Karimganj deputy commissioner M.S. Manivannan and superintendent of police Manabendra Debroy.

At the border, the officials met their Bangladesh counterparts, inspected the Suterkandi trade centre, assured locals that the 4.35km border in Karimganj would be sealed and all Indians living outside the fence would be brought to the Indian side. Krishna asked officials to complete fencing, install floodlights and construct and repair roads. He said smart fencing had been completed along a 3km stretch in Patherkandi but floodlights had not been installed.