Hours after 7 devotees killed in Ulta Rath procession, Tripura CM orders probe, announces compensation

According to reports, the death toll has gone up as one of the 16 people, who had sustained injuries, succumbed on their way to a hospital.

Saha also visited the injured at the hospital and held a media briefing where he announced Rs. 4 lakh compensation for the next of kin of all those who died and Rs. 2.5 lakh compensation to those who have suffered above 60 per cent burn injuries. He said the government will also provide a compensation of Rs. 75,000 to each of those who sustained 40-60 per cent burn injuries in the accident.

This is in addition to Rs. 2 lakh compensation announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for each of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund (PMNRF).

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also tweeted about the accident. It said, “The mishap during the Ulta Rath Yatra at Kumarghat is saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected: PM @narendramodi”.

Saha later acknowledged the prime minister’s support. He also said the state government will bear all treatment expenses for the devotees injured in the chariot accident. He added said the government would also pay to send the injured outside the state for better treatment, if necessary.

While stating that the accident was “saddening” and “unprecedented”, the chief minister said his government has instituted a magisterial enquiry to be headed by the Unakoti district magistrate to probe the lapses which might have caused the accident and said proper action would follow after the enquiry report is tabled.

His order came shortly after Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath wrote on social media that he has asked the DGM of Kumarghat Circle of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited to investigate and submit a report on the reason behind the accident to the government at the earliest.

Nath said he is outside the state but had taken stock of the situation from local MLA Bhagaban Das and officials concerned.

Opposition TIPRA Motha party chief Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma also expressed his condolences. “Hearing about a terrible incident in Kumarghat during the rath yatra, my prayers and condolences to all those who have been affected. I have immediately asked all my local MLAs and MDC to extend all help possible,” he said Wednesday evening.

State Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha also expressed his condolence to the bereaved family members and hoped for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees.

Last year, four people, including two children and a policeman, were injured after an elephant pulling the chariot of Lord Jagannath during the Ratha Yatra festival went berserk at Shantirbazaar in South Tripura. Similarly, a few devotees were injured at Udaipur in the state’s Gomati district last year after the crest of the Ratha Yatra chariot fell down during the procession.