CM OF WEST BENGAL ASKED FOR PARDON FROM THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE DEAD PEOPLE IN EGRA BLAST

On Saturday Mamata Banerjee, CM of West Bengal apologised to the people of Egra area in Purba Medinipur district of the state for a blast at an illegal firecracker factory here, in which 12 people were killed and many injured.

The Trinamool Congress supremo, who reached Khadikul village in this area, 11 days after the blast, also said the incident could have been averted if the state had received proper intelligence inputs.

    After distributing compensation cheques to relatives of those killed and injured in the blast, she said, "I will bow my head down to you and apologise for the incident (blast at the illegal fire factory on May 16)... Had the intelligence worked properly then this blast could have been averted." She also handed over appointment letters for jobs as home guards to one member each from the family of those killed in the May 16 blast.

While addressing the people she stated that two from the family of the primary accused, the owner of the illegal factory, have been arrested. She further urged the villagers to keep the local police informed in case they find any such units operational.