Leaders express shock

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JAN. 26. The Congress president, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, has expressed deep shock and distress at the havoc caused by the earthquake in Gujarat.

In a statement, Mrs. Gandhi said ``I am deeply shocked and distressed to learn of the damage caused by the earthquake, and convey my deep sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.''

Mrs. Gandhi, who will be visiting Gujarat tomorrow to see for herself the extent of the damage, has directed the Congress partymen to participate actively in the relief operations and called on Congress State Governments and State units of the party to immediately rush relief material to the quake-hit areas.

She also urged the Central Government to dispatch relief material without delay and organise rehabilitation work, pending assessment of the extent of the damage.

She said the earthquake, coming as it did even as the State is yet to recover from the severe drought it suffered recently, will put the people in an extremely difficult situation.

Our Chennai Special Correspondent reports:

The Tamil Nadu Governor, Ms. Fathima Beevi, today expressed shock and grief at the loss of lives and damage to property in the earthquake in Gujarat.

She conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, has expressed shock at the death of over 500 persons in the earthquake in Gujarat.

In a statement, he conveyed his condolences to the families of the dead.

The AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, today expressed her grief at the death of over 500 persons in the earthquake in Gujarat.

Conveying her condolences to the families of the dead, she prayed for the quick recovery of those injured in the tremors.

Our Hyderabad Special Correspondent reports:

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, has expressed shock over the high toll and devastation caused by the earthquake in Gujarat and conveyed his sympathies to the families of the dead.

Talking to reporters, he said today's was the biggest earthquake to hit the country after the September 30, 1993 Latur disaster.

His Government was in touch with the Gujarat Government to see how it could be of help in providing rescue and relief.

He appealed to the people of Andhra Pradesh to come forward to assist in providing succour to the victims in Gujarat.

Mr. Naidu said the country could not gloss over its susceptibility to natural calamities such as earthquake and should start seriously thinking of meeting such calamities.

Research relating to construction techniques in quake-prone areas and disaster preparedness should be pursued.

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