In the wake of a catastrophic fire that killed eight and left others untraced in Anandapur’s warehouses, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s administration has stepped up with Rs 10 lakh compensation per family. The move aims to provide immediate solace amid profound sorrow.
Firhad Hakim, wearing dual hats as Urban Development Minister and Kolkata Mayor, visited the site Tuesday afternoon to break the news. He outlined that payouts follow formal identification, with police approaching Calcutta High Court Wednesday for DNA testing nod. ‘Court sanction is essential for sample analysis,’ Hakim clarified.
The disaster ignited at 3 AM Monday, consuming a decorator’s godown run by Gangadhar Das and a neighboring momo company. Out-of-district workers, engaged in overnight decoration tasks with flowers, were caught off-guard, many asleep. Fire raged for 36 hours, hindering rescue and recovery.
Anxious kin roam hospitals, police outposts, and the smoldering site seeking answers. Official death count stands at eight; searches continue. Fire origin eludes investigators, raising alarms on safety lapses and possible wetland encroachments.
Police lodged two FIRs, interrogating Das without confirming detention. Hakim countered construction validity doubts: ‘I lack details on wetland claims, but livelihoods matter.’
Beyond aid, this blaze demands a safety overhaul in godowns. Thorough inquiries promise clarity on negligence, ensuring such infernos don’t scar communities again.