New Delhi, March 12 : Seven people including two minors were killed on Saturday when a fire engulfed a shanty in Gokulpuri area here, prompting Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to announce Rs 10 lakh compensation to families of every adult and Rs 5 lakh for every minor who died. Kejriwal also declared that Rs 25.000 each would be given for every shanty which was gutted. “The incident is very sad,” he said, adding that people had lost their loves ones. Manoj, a resident, said the victims were from Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. He said 30-32 shanties were built in a plot where the tragedy took place. Another resident, Ramu, said the victims were relatives and belonged to two families. He identified the victims as Bablu, Ranjit, Reshma, Priyanka and Shahenshah as well as siblings Roshan and Deepika. Delhi Fire Service chief Atul Garg said 13 fire tenders battled the fire, which broke out around 1 am. It was put down by 4 am, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla said. “At least 30 shanties were completely destroyed,” said Mahla. Police said seven charred bodies were recovered from the makeshift huts. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also visited the area.
with uni inputs
