The majority of the 14 individuals who tragically lost their lives in the recent fire at a cracker shop near Bengaluru were economically disadvantaged students who had to work during their holidays to finance their education, according to official sources.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his condolences and disclosed that most of the victims were students hailing from Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts in Tamil Nadu. Siddaramaiah acknowledged the financial struggles faced by these students, emphasizing that they worked during their holidays to support their education and families. He announced compensation of Rs five lakh each for the families of the deceased victims and pledged to investigate the incident, assuring that action would be taken against those responsible.
Siddaramaiah also stated that the government would cover the medical expenses of the three injured individuals and ordered a CID inquiry into the incident. Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar pledged to implement a policy to prevent such fire accidents involving fireworks in the state. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed his condolences and announced a cash relief of Rs 3 lakh each for the families of the deceased victims, with cabinet members assigned to oversee the treatment and potential transfer of the injured to Tamil Nadu as needed.
Source: PTI