EGRA: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday apologised to the people for the illegal firecracker factory blast on May 16 at Egra in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district that killed 11, saying the fatal accident has “opened our eyes” because it wouldn’t have happened had there been timely intelligence inputs and action by local police, reports Suman Mondal.
“I bow my head before all of you and apologise,” she told relatives of the victims. “Unlike others, I am not here to do politics. I have come here to offer you help. Life has to move on despite personal grief and tragedies.” The CM flew to Egra early in the morning despite inclement weather and met the families of the victims and handed them cheques of Rs 2.5 lakh each as compensation and appointment letters as home guards to the next of kin of the deceased. She asked district magistrate to ensure that the victims’ children go to school.
“This has opened our eyes. Anything other than green firecrackers are banned in Bengal. But a few people still make illegal ones for greed. He (main accused Bhanu Bag) died and took so many lives with him,” the CM said. She reasserted the forming of a committee to look at ways to help the illegal firecracker units switch to clusters away from residential areas and make environment-friendly, low-decibel fireworks. The committee has two months to submit its report.