Death toll from Bengal reaches 81 in Odisha train accident
Kolkata (IANS) | According to the West Bengal government, the death toll in the Odisha train tragedy has risen to 81 from the state. Describing the figure as 62, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday evening expressed apprehension that the number may increase if more bodies are identified.
He expressed doubt that the names of those traveling in unreserved coaches are not easily available with the Railway Department. That list has not yet reached the state government, he said. That’s why the death toll in Bengal may increase.
On Monday, the state government put the death toll at 81.
State government sources said that the maximum number of deaths have been reported from 31 South 24 Parganas district.
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has announced the formation of a six-member committee whose members will visit the families of those killed in the train accident and hand over a compensation check of Rs 2,00,000 to each family on behalf of the party.
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had announced that a compensation of Rs 2,00,000 to the family of each of the deceased would be over and above the Rs 5,00,000 announced by the state government.
Political tussle has already started in the state over the Railway Board’s recommendation for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Balasore train accident.
Rajya Sabha member of Trinamool Congress, Dr. Santanu Sen said, the credibility of central agencies like CBI has reduced a lot now. It is being used by the central government against the opposition parties. That’s why we have no faith in the CBI probe.
BJP state president in West Bengal and party’s Lok Sabha member Sukanta Majumdar said since sabotage is suspected to be behind the accident, there is a need to get the matter probed by a central agency.
–IANS
