Chief Minister Announces Judicial Probe Into Sabarimala Tragedy
Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan announced a judicial probe into the ghastly mishap that took place at Vandiperiyar near Sabarimala. 104 people were killed and over 60 people were injured in the accident.
Chief Minister orders judicial probe into Sabarimala Tragedy
Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has ordered a judicial probe into the gruesome accident that took place near Vandiperiyar on Friday night in which 104 people were killed and more than 60 left injured.
Chief Minister paid homage to the victims, whose bodies were kept at Kumali. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the families of each victim. Seriously-injured victims will be paid Rs 50,000 and those with minor injuries will be paid Rs 25,000.
Government is seeking the services of a sitting High Court judge to conduct the probe.
Arrangements will be made to take the bodies of victims to their homes. Most of the dead are from the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Government has announced a 3-day mourning in the state.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Smt Pratibha Patil have condoled the deaths of Sabarimala pilgrims. Dr Singh sanctioned Rs 1 lakh to the next of kin of those who were killed and Rs 50,000 to those injured from Prime Minister's relief fund.
The accident occurred while the pilgrims were returning home after witnessing the Makarajyothi festival at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala.