Odisha mishap: Stalin announces Rs 5 lakh for deceased; Rs 1 lakh for injured

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the passengers killed and Rs 1 lakh each to the persons injured in the deadly Balasore train accident in Odisha.

Talking to media persons after inspecting the control center set up by the Southern Railway, Stalin, flanked by Chief Secretary V Iraianbu and DGP Sylendra Babu, said here that the accident has put the entire country and its people in deep sorrow. "I was deeply saddened by the accident. As soon as I learnt about the accident, I immediately contacted Naveen Patnaik over phone and expressed my condolences. I offered to extend all possible help to him, if necessary," he added.

Announcing that state mourning would be observed today (Saturday) and all events being organised for the birth centenary Kalaignar M Karunanidhi would be cancelled today, the CM announced that Tamil Nadu government would distribute Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured persons after proper assessment and enumeration.

Informing that Sports Minister Udhayanidhi, Transport Minister S S Sivasankar and secretaries of transport and revenue departments and Archana Patnaiak IAS have been deputed to Odisha to assess the situation, the CM said that a team of IAS, IPS officers and DROs are being sent to camp there for four days and coordinate the relief cum rescue operations and assist the Tamils affected by the train accident.

State Railway ADGP Sandeep Mittal would also go there and coordinate with the cops there to assist, he added.

Adding that the officials of the State government have inquired and learnt about the treatment provided to Tamils there through video call with the Odisha chief secretary, the CM said, "I held a discussion with our chief secretary, state DGP and other officials regarding the efforts taken to treat the injured, reach out and support the families of the injured/victims. Based on the information provided by our ministerial delegation, we will offer necessary help to the victims and their families."

Asked about the number of Tamils who travelled there, he said, "Proper information is not available. We are making efforts to collect the information from there.