Tripura chariot tragedy claims 7 lives; opposition demands high-level probe
Agartala, June 29 : Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday announced an immediate compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased in the chariot tragedy at Kumarghat of Unokoti district, and the individuals with burn injuries exceeding 60 per cent will receive Rs 2.50 lakh.
At least seven people, including three minors and three women, were burned alive on the street, and 20 others were injured when the iron-made trident at the top of the chariot got in touch with a high-voltage electricity line at Block Chowmuhani of Kumarghat on the National Highway.
Six of them died on the spot, and a minor girl succumbed to injuries on the way to Agartala Govt. Medical College.
The deceased were identified as Rahul Das (40) and his son Ruhan Das (9), Shan Malakar (9), Suma Biswas (28), Sima Paul (33), Susmita Baidya (30), and Diya Ghosh (9). Five of the injured were shifted here in critical condition, and others have been treated in the local hospitals.
The Chief Minister rushed to Kumarghat after hearing about the tragedy by train, interacted with the doctors and administration there, and returned early this morning.
Dr Saha told the media that those who got minor injuries would be given Rs 74,000, and the state government would bear all medical expenses of the injured persons. If required, they would be shifted outside the state for better treatment.
He also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 to the injured persons in the mishap and said, “I have ordered an inquiry into the incident by the District Magistrate of Unokoti and appropriate action will be taken against the guilty.”
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Animesh Debbarma demanded a high-level probe into the incident and immediate relief of Rs 20 lakh to each of the deceased families and Rs 10 lakh for each of the injured persons. He questioned the role of the local administration and the organiser of the event.
It is alleged that the local BJP MLA, Bhagaban Das, was involved in the planning and design of the chariot, and even changed the route at the last moment without the consent of the administration. The procession was not scheduled to move on the highway in the direction where it met the tragedy.
“How a low-hanging power line is there along the national highway – this needs to be investigated at the quickest possible time to give justice to the victim families,” Debbarma added.
