Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday described the Bahanaga railway disaster in Odisha as the biggest train tragedy in this century, and alleged that efforts were being made to suppress the facts.

“It is the biggest incident in this century, yet efforts are being made to suppress facts. We want to know why and how the incident took place,” she said.

Banerjee alleged that rather than investigating the train accident, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers are being deployed in Bengal and going to several municipalities and urban development areas to harass people.

Banerjee was apparently referring to the central agency sleuths conducting raids at multiple locations in the state during the day in connection with alleged recruitment-related irregularities spread over several civic bodies.

“All those who are responsible for this accident, I want them to be punished,” she said.

The chief minister said as per the latest figures, there are a total of 103 passengers from Bengal, who have lost their lives in the tragic incident.

“We have, so far, received 86 dead bodies, the remaining bodies are yet to be identified,” she said.

“All those who have lost their lives, we can’t bring them back. What we can do, instead, is to secure their families future. We need to make sure that those who lost their lives, their children, their parents, and their spouse, are not left alone during these troubling times,” Banerjee said.

The chief minister provided financial assistance and distributed appointment letters for the job of a home guard to the next of kin of the victims of the mishap.

“From this platform today, we have provided compensation amount of Rs 5,00,000 to the families of the 86 people who lost their lives. Apart from the compensation, we have also given their kin the appointment letter for the post of Special Home Guard,” she said.

Banerjee said apart from the Rs 5,00,000 ex-gratia, the state government has also given Rs 10,000 to the bereaved families to meet their daily requirements.

“We will also be giving Rs 2,000 each for the next three months to these families,” the chief minister said.

She said the state government has given job offer letters to a member of the families of three passengers who got injured in the accident and have become handicapped.

Banerjee said there are 172 passengers who have suffered major injuries. For them, the state is giving Rs 1,00,000 as compensation, apart from Rs 10,000 for their daily requirement. These families will also be getting Rs 2,000 for the next three months

She said a total of 635 people, who have suffered minor injuries, are being given Rs 50,000 as compensation, along with Rs 10,000 for their immediate requirements, and Rs 2,000 for the next three months

Banerjee said there are around 800 migrant workers from Bengal, who have faced extreme trauma due to the train accident. For them, the state is giving a compensation of Rs 10,000 and Rs 2,000 for the next three months.

The chief minister said government officials, including policemen, have been requested to coordinate with the grieving families. For those who want their children to continue their studies, the state will give free education to 50 boys and 50 girls

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire team, including doctors, nurses, police officers, officials, and every individual involved, for their tireless efforts in restoring normalcy. I stand firmly in support of the victims affected by this tragic incident. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and take every necessary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of all,” Banerjee added.