Akola Temple Incident: Maharashtra CM Announces Compensation of Rs 4 Lakh for Kin of Deceased

GG News Bureau

Mumbai, 10th April. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday announced a Rs 4 lakh assistance to the families of the deceased in the Akola Babuji Maharaj temple incident.

On Sunday, a tree fell on a tin shed under which people were standing at the Babuji Maharaj Temple premises in Maharashtra’s Akola, killing seven people and injuring 23 others.

“CM directed that all the injured should be given proper treatment at government expense. Seven devotees died and 23 were injured in this accident. In this regard, the Chief Minister took information from the district administration,” read an official release from the CMO.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the deceased’s family will be compensated financially from the Chief Minister’s fund. According to Fadnavis, the state government will cover the full cost of those injured in the incident.

“The incident that happened in Akola’s Paras is serious and unfortunate. The government will provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured will be provided medical treatment free of cost. I have ordered an investigation into the incident,” said Fadnavis.

“We have given the orders to assess the damage to crops caused due to unseasonal rains in the state. We have received preliminary information about the extent of the damage,” he added.

Earlier, Akola Collector Nima Arora stated that nearly 40 people were present under the shed when an old tree fell on it.

“Nearly 40 persons were present under the shed, out of which 36 were admitted in the hospital and four of them were brought dead,” said Collector Arora.

“Later the dead toll rose upto seven, and one person is critically injured,” she added.

The devotees had gathered for a religious ceremony in the Akola district of Paras.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis stated on Twitter,  “It is painful to report that some devotees were killed when a tree fell on a tin shed when some people had gathered for a religious ceremony at Paras in Akola district. I pay my humble respects to them.”

“The Collector and the Superintendent of Police immediately visited the spot and are coordinating to ensure timely treatment of the injured. We are constantly in touch with them,” he added.