Sambhal Roof-Collapse Incident: CM Yogi Announces Ex-Gratia Of Rs 2 Lakh For Next-To-Kin, Sets Probe

Sambhal: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the deceased in the roof-collapse incident at cold storage in Sambhal and formed a committee to probe the reasons behind it.

According to the Deputy Inspector General of Police Shalabh Mathur, eight people have so far died in Thursday’s roof-collapse incident at the cold storage chamber located on the Indira Nagar road within the Chandausi police station limits.

Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for deceased’s family

The UP chief minister has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for those critically injured and free treatment for all those who sustained injuries in the incident.

CM Yogi has also constituted a probe committee led by the police commissioner and the DIG, Moradabad to probe the reasons behind the roof collapse. The committee has been asked to submit its report at the earliest, the UP government spokesperson said.

Moreover, the chief minister has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident and directed the officials concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured, he added.

Also Read: Boost To Self-Reliance: PM Modi Hails Approval Of Defence Sector Proposals Worth Over Rs 70,500 Cr

Several rescued from the site of incident in Sambhal

Sambhal District Magistrate Manish Bansal said 17 people have been rescued, of whom five are undergoing treatment in a Moradabad hospital while six were discharged after medical aid.

The rescue operations, in which the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are also involved, continued through the night and are still on, he said.

Moreover, searchlights have been installed in the area for the rescue operation in which JCB machines are also being used to remove the debris.

According to police, the collapsed roof was built only three months ago without the necessary permission from the administration and the number of potatoes stored at the cold storage was beyond its prescribed capacity.

Speaking to the reporters,  DIG Mathur said that rescuers were taking precautions as ammonia gas cylinders were kept in cold storage.

“A case under section 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been lodged against Ankur Agarwal and Rohit Agarwal, the owners of the cold storage,” the DIG added.