Panipat gurdwara collapse: Toll reaches 4, Haryana CM Khattar announces compensation

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the gurdwara on Tuesday and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh for injured.

Updated on: Jun 14, 2017, 10:45:16 IST

Hindustan Times, Panipat | By Neeraj Mohan, Panipat

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More than a day after a portion of Gurdwara Pehli Pashahi’s building caved in at Panipat, bodies of three more persons were recovered from the debris on Tuesday, taking the toll to four.

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal offering condolences to bereaved families at Gurdwara Pehli Pashahi in Panipat. (HT Photo)

According to police sources, at least two more people continue to remain trapped under the debris.

The bodies of sewadar Sardar Darshan Singh, migrant labourer Badshah (38) of Bareli and Rati Ram (45) of Sitapur of Uttar Pradesh were recovered the NDRF team late Tuesday evening. The rescue operations were still on till last reports came in. Police said they are suspecting two more people, including sewadar Devendra Singh and another labourer, to be trapped under the debris.

“We are facing problem in removing the debris. A few more people can be seen buried under the debris and their chances of survival are bleak,” told a member of the National Disaster Response Force team to Hindustan Times. He added: “We are removing the cemented roof to reach building’s ground floor.”

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar visited the gurdwara on Tuesday and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured and Rs 1 lakh for injured. The CM said the injured will be given free treatment at government hospitals.

A five-member committee under additional deputy commissioner Rajiv Mehta has been formed to look into the reason behind the building collapse. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 15 days.

Panipat SDM Vevek Chaudhary has said, “We cannot say anything as of now but the matter will be probed after rescue operations are over.”

Meanwhile, heavy police deployment has been made in 100mt radius of the gurdwara and traffic has been diverted. Hundreds of sewadars from other gurdwaras are assisting the rescue teams.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neeraj Mohan
Neeraj Mohan is a senior journalist with over 18 years of experience in political, agricultural, environmental and ground reporting across Haryana, Punjab, the National Capital Region and National Bureau. Associated with Hindustan Times for over a decade, he has also worked with leading media organisations including The Tribune, The Sunday Guardian and The Financial World. His reporting spans electoral politics, governance, agriculture, farmers’ issues, rural economy, climate change, pollution, and socio-economic challenges affecting communities at the grassroots level. Recognised for his field-based journalism and analytical approach, Neeraj has consistently focused on capturing ground realities while examining the impact of policy decisions on people and institutions. Over the years, he has covered major political developments, agriculture reforms, environmental concerns, and public interest issues, bringing together investigative insights, extensive field reporting and perspectives from farmers, policymakers, experts and stakeholders. His stories aim to bridge the gap between decision-making centres and the people directly affected by them. With a focus on accountability journalism, Neeraj continues to report on issues that shape public discourse, highlighting the intersection of politics, society, environment and development.Read More