Mamata announces compensation for seriously injured in PM's rally

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced the payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the three BJP workers who were injured in the collapse of a makeshift tent at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally and are receiving treatment at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital.

The money will be paid from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Banerjee, on her way to the convocation of IIT Kharagpur which is scheduled to be held on Friday, paid a surprise visit to the hospital where the three

seriously injured have been admitted.

"Those who are injured at the Prime Minister's rally are from lower-middle class families. The doctors have taken proper care and I announce the payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the three injured persons who are undergoing treatment," Banerjee told reporters here.

She had prayed for the quick recovery of the injured persons in a tweet. She also spoke to the doctors and asked them to treat the injured persons with top priority. As many as 90 people were injured, five of them seriously, in the incident. All the injured persons were treated and discharged except these three.

Banerjee went to the ward where the injured patients have been put up and spoke to them and their family members. She also had a word with the doctors and inquired about their health. She was accompanied by Surajit Kar Purkayastha, the state Security Advisor.

It may be mentioned that the state government is conducting an investigation into the collapse of the tent. Senior police officers have spoken to the decorator's firm that had put up the pandal. A team from the Home ministry had also visited the site and has spoken to senior police officers as well. State Forensic experts have visited the site and collected samples.

No report on the cause of the collapse of the pandal has yet been submitted to the state government.