Politicians announce compensation for victims

State transport minister Subhas Chakraborty announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the family of each deceased.

“I have spoken to the chief minister over the issue. We share the grief of the family members. We will also bear the cost of treatment of those injured,” said Chakraborty during his visit to the Barasat district hospital, where the bodies are kept.

Amitava Nandy, CPM MP from Dum Dum, promised a package of Rs 25,000 for the family members of the deceased. Following suit, Robin Mondol MLA, Rajarhat and Tapas Chatterjee, chairman, Rajarhat-Gopalpur Municipality, also promised an equal amount of money to the families of those killed in the accident.

District Magistrate Prabhat Kumar Mishra has formed a three-member committee to look into the reasons of the accident. “The guilty will be punished. If it is proved to be a case of reckless driving, the route permit of the private bus will be cancelled and its driver and owner will be prosecuted,” he said.

Swapan Sarkar (42), the driver of the bus, en route 217B, was arrested around 8:30 pm on Saturday from his residence in Mullickpara Lane, Dum Dum.

According to the police, the bus was owned by one Moslem Bhai, a resident of Narayanpur, who recently bought the bus from one Chanchal Roy.