Expressed anguish, announces Rs. 1 lakh each to next of kin of deceased

Spokesman News Service: Chandigarh, December 4: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has sought a detailed report from the Barnala Deputy Commissioner into the incident of fire in an industrial godown that left three dead. The Chief Minister has also announced ex-gratia grant of Rs. 1 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased, identified as Jagjeet Singh (24) of village Gill Kothe, Sikander Singh (25) and Sadhu Singh (27) of village Cheema.

Captain Amarinder Singh has expressed anguish over the mishap, which occurred in an industrial godown at village Ugoke in Tapa Sub Division, and has extended his sympathies to the families of the victims. In his directive to the DC, Captain Amarinder has asked him to thoroughly probe the incident to ascertain the cause of the fire and to suggest remedial measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future.

Acting swiftly on the directives of the Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner has deputed the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Tapa, to submit the detailed report in the matter at the earliest. Meanwhile, DC Dharam Pal Gupta, along with SSP and SDM, visited the site and met the victims’ families. An official spokesperson later said the situation was now under control and fire had been completely extinguished.