Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], January 31 (HBTV): Police authorities are continuing investigations into the devastating fire in Anandapur, which has left several people dead and many unaccounted for.
According to Baruipur Police, a total of 21 samples have been sent for profiling, while reports of 27 people missing have been registered in connection with the incident. Three people have been arrested so far as investigations continue, police said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the fire mishap in Kolkata’s Anandapur that broke out earlier this week, offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and announcing ex gratia compensation for the affected.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said an ex gratia amount of INR 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured would receive INR 50,000. ‘The recent fire mishap in Anandapur, West Bengal, is very tragic and saddening. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest,’ the post stated.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari led a BJP protest rally over the Anandapur fire incident. Addressing the gathering, Adhikari alleged lapses in the handling of the case and criticised the state government’s response.
The warehouse fire broke out in the early hours of Monday, prompting the launch of rescue and relief operations. Firefighting teams were rushed to the spot to contain the blaze, while police cordoned off the area to facilitate emergency response.
Earlier on Thursday, BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that Trinamool-sponsored Bangla Pakkho had claimed on social media that 50 people had died in the warehouse fire. Calling for a Special Investigation Team probe, Malviya said that, given what he described as the poor track record of the state administration, the investigation should be handed over to a Supreme Court-monitored SIT to fix accountability. (ANI)