Sanjeev Kumar Pradhan

Bolangir: Survivor in the tragic wedding gift blast in February this year, Reema Sahoo was given Rs 1.5 lakh compensation by the legal services authority in Bolangir today.

According to sources, the compensation amount was provided to Sahoo at the Bolangir Civil court premises. Sources said another Rs 1.5 lakh will be provided to her after the hearing of the case concludes.

Similarly several other victims in other cases were also provided compensation by the legal services authority on the occasion.

“A total compensation of Rs 15.4 lakh was provided today which included Rs 1.5 lakh for the victim of Patnagarh wedding gift blast case. This is a good scheme of the government in which the victims are provided with compensation,” Bolangir District & Sessions Judge, Chittaranjan Mahapatra said.

On the other hand, family members of Reema's husband Soumyasekhar, who was killed in the blast, appealed the court of harsh punishment to accused Punjilal Meher.

“We demand harsh punishment for the culprit after immediate trial in the court. The conviction must be exemplary so that no one ever tries to commit such a crime again,” said Soumyasekhar's father.

On February 23, newly-wed groom Soumyasekhar and his grandmother were killed in an explosion while unwrapping a parcel they had received as wedding gift by courier. Reema had also sustained critical injuries in the incident.

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