Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for Bengal woman killed in Makkah

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced Rs.10 lakh as compensation to the family of Muniza Ahamed of the state who was among the 107 killed in the crane accident at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia`s Makkah city.

According to the West Bengal State Haj Committee, Haj pilgrim Muniza Ahamed (59) from Asansol in Burdwan district was among those killed and Liakat Hossain (61) from Patharghata in West Midnapore district and Hasen Ali (62) from Kaliachak in Malda district were among the injured in the accident in which 107 people were killed and 238 injured. 

Besides Muniza, another person, a resident of Kerala, was among those killed while a total of 15 Indians are among the injured.

"Though monetary compensation cannot be a substitute for life lost, still we are trying our best to provide all support and co-operation to the distressed families. All Haj pilgrims from the state have an insurance cover of Rs.3 lakh.

"Our government will give Rs.10 lakh as financial assistance to the family of the deceased and Rs.1 lakh to each of the injured pilgrims," said Banerjee.

The state government has also set up a round-the-clock control room with a toll-free helpline -18003457155.

"Full co-operation will be provided from our side to all those who need assistance in this situation," she added.

State Haj Committee member Mukhtar Ali said arrangements were being made to bring Muniza`s body back at the earliest.