Shillong, August 17 : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has expressed profound grief and shock over the death of five people from the State, including two children, in a devastating fire at Hotel Bideshini Yatri Nibas in Tarapith, Birbhum district of West Bengal, in the early hours of Monday.
The deceased have been identified as Rajendra Nath, Asha Nath, Buran Madak, 10-year-old Shivraj Madak and eight-year-old Aushnath Madak, all residents of Dalu in West Garo Hills district. They had travelled to West Bengal as pilgrims. Six other persons from West Garo Hills were rescued and survived the incident.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved families, Sangma said the entire State stands with them in mourning. “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,” the Chief Minister said.
The Office of the Additional Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, is coordinating closely with the Birbhum District Administration to ascertain further details and provide all possible assistance to the affected families. The State authorities are also facilitating arrangements for transporting the mortal remains of the deceased to their native place in Meghalaya.
The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia assistance of ₹2 lakh each from the State Government to the next of kin of each of the five deceased as a measure of support and solidarity with the bereaved families.
