Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari interacted with the families of two Chorbagan victims and assured help, including jobs for their young members, on Friday evening. The CM handed over compensation cheques — Rs 25 lakh from the state govt and Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister Relief Fund — to each of the bereaved families of Subham Sonkar (32) at Bagmari Lane and Mithu Mondal (45) at Kebal Krishna Sur Street near Kumartuli Park.On his return from Jhargram where the CM had attended an administrative programme, Adhikari headed to Bagmari Lane around 6 pm and then to Kumartuli Park around 6.40 pm. Around three hours before the CM’s arrival, neighbours of both the localities started gathering on the road and cops in charge of security had to streamline the onlookers.“Death has no compensation, but these families are grappling with financial constraints. So, we are trying to help them from our end. I could have called them in Nabanna or sent anyone to hand over the financial aid to the families. But I have come myself as I want to know about their problems. We will try to solve their problems as much as possible in our capacity,” said the CM who was flanked by state commerce and industry minister Tapas Roy, minister of state for information and culture, Purnima Chakraborty, and KMC administrator Smita Pandey.Subham is survived by her parents and two siblings. “I have been in constant touch with the family since the tragedy. Her brother Sujan is studying and he is a meritorious student. We will arrange for employment for the boy. The family has madeappeals to me and we will look into them in our capacity. Along with the govt, political and social organisations are also beside the family,” said the CM. He requested the neighbours to take care of the family, especially the victim’s mother and sister who have become distraught after the mishap.Sandip Malik, a cousin of the victim, said, “Subham’s younger sister Naina has also requested for a work in a private firm and the CM has promised to look into the matter.”At Mithu Mondal’s house near Kumartuli Park, the CM promised a job for her son Sourav from next month. “The family is going through financial constraints and I listened to their problems. The govt is with the family and we will help them to tide over the crisis. We are providing her son with a job. He also sustained injuries during the stampede that killed his mother,” said the CM, who comforted Sourav.“Every puja, I used to take out my mother on pandal-hopping. I also had a close shave on Oct 17 during the stampede. I have got a job but I lost my mother forever,” he broke down.Victim’s husband Nirmal Mondal said, “We have received the financial help from the govt. The CM has asked my son to join work from Nov 1, though the dept where he will be employed has not been decided. The CM told us that we would be informed about the dept before his joining.”
