Ulta Rath Yatra mishap: CM Manik Saha announces compensation for victims

Expressing heartfelt condolences over the tragic mishap during the Ulta Rath Yatra in Tripura's Unakoti district, Chief Minister Manik Saha has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.

The government has decided to bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured, while victims with burn injuries exceeding 60 per cent will receive Rs 2.50 lakh and those with burn injuries ranging from 40 to 60 per cent will be given Rs 74,000 as compensation, the CM said.

Seven people died and 16 others sustained severe burn injuries after being electrocuted during the Ulta Rath Yatra in Tripura's Unakoti district on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Saha promptly visited the mishap site and personally assessed the situation. Expressing his disbelief, he stated that such an unfortunate incident had never occurred in the history of Tripura.

"We cannot express in words the magnitude of this unfortunate incident. During the Ulto Rath Yatra, the chariot came in contact with a wire, leading to its electrocution. Those who were on the stairway of the chariot died on the spot, while those inside the chariot remained unharmed. This incident is truly unfortunate and unimaginable. As soon as I heard about the incident, I personally spoke with Minister Tinku Roy and former Minister Bhagaban Das, who were in Kumarghat, and informed them that I would be coming. I have visited the site and tried to understand the situation. Such an incident has never happened in the history of Tripura. We express our deepest condolences," CM Saha said.

According to the CM office, the injured persons have been admitted to Fatikroy, Kumarghat, and GB Pant hospitals.

"I have visited Fatikroy and Kumarghat hospitals to meet the victims and the family members of the deceased. I have instructed the Health Department Authority and Chief Secretary to ensure proper treatment. We stand with the families of the deceased and the injured.

"The government has decided to bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured. We have also decided to provide immediate relief measures from the government, offering Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased. Individuals with burn injuries exceeding 60 per cent will receive Rs 2.50 lakh, while those with burn injuries ranging from 40 to 60 per cent will be given Rs 74,000," stated the CM.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also expressed deep grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased person, and Rs 50,000 will be given to those injured in the mishap.