AMN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today assured Kerala government and its people all help in the hour of crisis as he visited the mishap site near here and a hospital to see the injured people.
PM Modi also announced ex gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin of deceased & Rs 50,000 for the injured in Kollam Temple Fire tragedy.
“This tragedy is very painful. The extent of the tragedy is unimaginable and such dreadful,” he told reporters before concluding his brief visit during which he also held a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy.
He said the tragedy is such huge that it is difficult to express it in words as such a large number of people have been injured, with some being beheaded.
“This is an hour of crisis and the central government is ready to extend all help to Kerala government and the people of the state,” PM Modi said.
He said he had told the Chief Minister that if he wanted any injured people to be taken to Mumbai or Delhi for specialised treatment, the central government will immediately make arrangements for the same. He extended condolences to those who lost their kin and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
At least 105 people were killed and more than 350 injured in the fire that engulfed the temple during a fireworks late last night.
Chief Minister Ooman Chandy and State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala took the Prime Minister around the temple precincts and briefed him about the incident.
The Prime Minister spent around ten minutes at the incident site.
Mr. Modi later visited the Kollam District hospital to see the injured people. The Prime Minister described the incident as heart-rending and shocking.
Earlier, Mr. Modi announced a compensation of Rs. two lakh each for the next kin of those killed and Rs. 50,000 for those injured from Prime Minister’s relief fund.
Kerala Chief Minister has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh each to the kin of those killed and Rs. two lakh each for those seriously injured.
Kerala government has ordered a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court Judge along with an investigation by Crime Branch of the State Police.
At least 60 bodies have been identified and post-mortum will be held as early as possible. Mr. Chandy said that bodies will be handed over to the relatives at the earliest.
