Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has expressed deep grief over the deaths of five people from the state in the devastating fire at Hotel Bideshini Yatri Nibas in Tarapith, Birbhum district of West Bengal, and announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
The fire broke out at the hotel in the early hours of Monday, killing eight people, including five from Meghalaya. The Meghalaya victims, all from Dalu in West Garo Hills, have been identified as Rajendra Nath, Asha Nath, Buran Madak and their two children, 10-year-old Shivraj Madak and eight-year-old Aushnath Madak. Six other people from West Garo Hills who were staying in the area were rescued.
Expressing his condolences, Chief Minister Sangma said the loss of five citizens, including two children, was an unimaginable tragedy for their families and the people of Meghalaya.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy for the families. We have lost citizens from Meghalaya, including two young children, in the most heartbreaking of circumstances. On behalf of the people of Meghalaya, I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased in this hour of grief,” Sangma said.
The Office of the Additional Resident Commissioner at Meghalaya House is coordinating with the Birbhum district administration to ascertain details of the affected families and extend all possible official assistance. Arrangements are also being facilitated to transport the mortal remains of the deceased to their native place in Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, senior BJP legislator and former Meghalaya minister AL Hek has urged West Bengal Chief Minister Shuvendu Adhikari to constitute a fact-finding team to investigate the cause of the fire.
Hek said a detailed inquiry was necessary to establish the circumstances that led to the blaze, which claimed eight lives.
“I appeal to the honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shuvendu Adhikari, to send a fact-finding team to enquire into the cause of the fire in which as many as eight persons, including five from Meghalaya, were killed,” Hek said.
He added that he would also urge the West Bengal Chief Minister to conduct an inquiry into the incident.
The deaths of the five Meghalaya residents have caused widespread grief in West Garo Hills, particularly in Dalu, where the victims belonged. The tragedy has also raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the hotel fire and prompted calls for a thorough investigation into its cause.