ON-THE-SPOT STUDY: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan visiting the fire tragedy site at the Moideen Palli Road in Kozhikode on Saturday. Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

KOZHIKODE: Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan was in the city on Saturday with words of comfort and financial help for the victims of the fire accident on Moideen Palli Road in which seven persons were charred to death, about 50 injured and 92 shops badly damaged.

After visiting the accident site, the Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs.1 lakh each to the next of kin of the persons who died in the blaze. He also made a fervent appeal for generous contributions from the public for the rehabilitation of the victims. Mr. Achuthanandan hoped that Keralites in Gulf countries would contribute to the fund that has been set up to help the victims.

The full medical expenses of the injured undergoing treatment at various hospitals would be met by the Government, the Chief Minister told mediapersons.

As soon as the committee, led by Mayor M. Bhaskaran and District Collector A. Jayathilak, submitted its report on the extent of loss caused by the blaze, the Government would announce details of the financial assistance that the affected merchants would get. He hoped that banks would join in the Government's efforts to help the merchants whose livelihood had been affected by the devastating fire.

As a temporary relief, the district administration had been directed to help these merchants put up temporary structure where they would be able to carry on their business. The Chief Minister avoided direct answers to questions whether the fire was caused by sabotage. However, he remarked that if Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had given a hint to that effect, he (Home Minister) must have spoken on the basis of clues received by the police. The Mayor later announced that a condolence meeting would be held on Sunday evening at the Town Hall here.

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