TV
The mortal remains of six Odia workers who were killed in a granite quarry explosion in Andhra Pradesh arrived at Digapahandi in Odisha on Monday amid tension over the compensation amount promised by the quarry owner.
Accompanying the bodies was a three-member team from the Ganjam district administration.
Among the deceased, four workers were from Ganjam district. They are Danda Badaitya, Musa Jena, Banamali Behera, and Santosh Gouda. The other two victims, Bhaskar Bisoyi and Takun Dalai, hailed from Gajapati district.
The tragic incident occurred yesterday in a granite quarry located in the Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh. The powerful explosion claimed the lives of the six workers, all of whom were engaged in labour work at the site.
"There has been no registration of the labourers from Odisha who have migrated outside the state to work. We didn't have a complete database about it yet. The tragic incident occurred yesterday. I talked with the concerned district Collector and informed the Chief Minister about the incident. A team of three officials from the state also went there and returned with the bodies. The Chief Minister has announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh. We have provided the amount to the father of the deceased," said Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena.
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"It's a very tragic incident. The family members are crestfallen with the tragic loss. We extend our sympathy to them. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced an ex gratia amount for them. However, the loss is irreparable. We pray to Lord Jagannath to give strength and courage to the bereaved family members to cope with their tragic loss," said Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik.
As per reports, tension ran high among the family members and the villagers over the promise of the granite quarry owner to provide a compensation amount of Rs 14 lakh to the deceased. They reportedly refused to take the bodies from the ambulance. Transport Minister and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister, Gajapati ADM, and other officials were present on the spot and trying to pacify the villagers.
