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Debjit Mukherjee, Jalpaiguri: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called on the relatives of devotees who lost their lives in a flash flood in the Mal river during the immersion of Durga idols on Bijay Dashami earlier this month. During an event, the TMC supremo paid a solemn tribute to the precious lives lost and also interacted with their family members.
According to reports, the West Bengal government gave a compensation of Rs 1 lakh to the families of eight people who died after being swept away in the flash flood in Mal River and assured them all possible help.
Some of the family members were also awarded with government jobs. Checks of compensation and job offers have been given to the relatives of victims by TMC-led Bengal government.
Banerjee, during her interaction with family members, also sought to know from them if the tragedy happened due to lapse by local authorities. “It was not in our knowledge. An investigation has been started. If anyone found guilty will be punished,” Banerjee said.
“Jalpaiguri district is just next to Sikkim, Bhutan and Nepal. These are the issues to be taken up by the Government of India at international level. I would request our Chief Secretary to inform the center about the urgency. Sometimes they release water without informing us. Sikkim should inform us before releasing water. Earlier, this had happened, they killed people creating flood. Then I fought with DVC also, and stopped releasing water from the dams without keeping us in the loop,” the Chief Minister said.
Banerjee, who is on a four-day visit to north Bengal, said, “Today, I met the family members of people who were killed in the flash flood in Mal River earlier this month. I am grateful to the locals who saved the lives of several people. I would like to thank them. Around 450 people were rescued from the river”.
