Kolkata Fire Tragedy: Families Await Remains and Death Certificates for Compensation
A week after a devastating fire ripped through two godowns at Nazirabad near Anandapur in Kolkata, grieving families continue to wait for the mortal remains and death certificates of the victims. Charred body parts of 27 individuals have been recovered from the site, but their identification through DNA mapping remains pending, delaying last rites and compensation claims.
Compensation Announced but Death Certificates Required
Both the state government and the Centre have announced financial aid of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively, for each victim's family. However, families need death certificates to claim these amounts. For many, the deceased were the sole breadwinners, making this delay particularly distressing.
Heart-Wrenching Stories from Affected Families
Nayan Haldar, who lost his father Basudeb, shared his anguish. "A week ago, my father was killed in the fire, but his body parts have not reached our Baruipur home, and his last rites are unperformed," he said. Haldar, whose college studies are ongoing, added that his family depended solely on his father's income and urgently needs financial help.
Another victim, Rabish Hansda from Jhargram, worked as a security guard at one of the burnt godowns. His elder brother Sunil expressed concern, stating, "Rabish married in 2024, and his child is just two and a half years old. Who will care for his wife and child? My financial condition is weak, so we rely on the government's aid." Sunil mentioned that police informed him the DNA process is ongoing, with a possible handover of remains by mid-week.
Forensic and Recovery Efforts at the Blaze Site
In the past week, the godown blaze site was cleared of rubble and debris to allow forensic teams to collect samples. On Saturday, the fire and emergency services concluded their search for body parts, with the recovery count matching missing complaints. However, officials have not ruled out finding more remains, as the exact number of people on the premises during the inferno remains unclear.
SIT Investigation into the Fire's Origin
A five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) is interrogating three individuals:
- Gangadhar Das, owner of Pushpanjali Decorators
- Monoranjan Sit, manager of Wow! Momo's godown
- Raja Chakraborty, deputy manager of Wow! Momo's godown
Narendrapur police are working to determine which of two kitchens and a utensil storage area inside the decorator company's warehouse was the fire's point of origin. Investigators confirmed the blaze spread from within this warehouse but noted that pinpointing the exact source is challenging due to the structure's size and multiple cooking areas.
Critical Clues and Fire Safety Violations
Police sources emphasized that identifying the specific kitchen where the fire began is crucial to reconstructing how flames moved through the structure into adjacent warehouses. During searches, investigators found an earthen stove and indications of cooking on the night of the incident, including burnt wood and pots discovered on January 26. The SIT is also questioning locals to check for potential fire-safety violations, adding another layer to this tragic investigation.
