Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 26 (ANI):
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced financial compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the families of three residents from the state who tragically lost their lives in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The victims were identified as Bitan Adhikari from Patuli, Kolkata; Samir Guha from Behala, Kolkata; and Manish Ranjan from Jhalda, Purulia.
According to the Chief Minister’s statement, Bitan Adhikari’s family will receive the compensation in two parts: ₹5 lakh to his wife and ₹5 lakh to his parents.
Additionally, his parents will receive a monthly pension of ₹10,000 and coverage under the state’s flagship health scheme, Swasthya Sathi.
In further support, the government assured that, if desired, a family member of any of the deceased would be facilitated with a government job.
Mamata Banerjee conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to standing beside them during this period of immense loss.
In a related announcement, the West Bengal government also pledged ₹10 lakh in compensation to the family of Army Havildar Jhantu Ali Shaikh, who was killed during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur on April 24.
Chief Minister Banerjee personally spoke with the jawan’s wife on Saturday and assured her a government job as part of the state’s support measures.
The mortal remains of Havildar Ali Shaikh, an Army Special Forces commando from 6 Para hailing from Nadia district, were flown back to Kolkata late Friday night.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held in Jammu to honor his sacrifice, as he succumbed to injuries sustained during the April 24 militant attack, which also left two of his colleagues critically injured.
Mamata Banerjee also reached out to the grieving family, speaking directly to Nazim Sheikh, Ali Shaikh’s cousin, offering personal condolences and assuring the family of her full support.
She emphasized that they could reach out to her at any time, offering a direct line of communication in their time of mourning.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives and injured many more, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Srinagar to assess the region’s security situation.
The Indian Army has launched multiple search operations to neutralize the terrorists responsible for the attack, which has provoked nationwide outrage and demands for stricter actions against Pakistan.
Following the attack, intelligence agencies have identified 14 local terrorists actively operating in Jammu and Kashmir, intensifying efforts to bolster security across the region. (ANI)
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