www.telegraphindia.com
Kalimpong, June 26: The GNLF has criticised the National Hydel Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) for alleged carelessness and have demanded that proper compensation be given to people who are missing.

The GNLF demand came 24 hours after the bailey bridge at the construction site of the Teesta low dam at 27th Mile (Rambi), about 32 km from here, collapsed.

Two of the four persons injured in the accident have been admitted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

“This is the second time in a row that an accident took place at the construction site of the Teesta low dam. Carelessness on the part of the NHPC is responsible for the accident this time,” said Kalimpong GNLF branch president Dawa Pakhrin. “Have they come here to work or to kill people with their negligence?” he asked.

Earlier, on April 28, sixty-year-old Lok Bahadur Chettri and his 46-year-old wife Krishna Maya Chettri died after a truck carrying sand to the construction site turned turtle and the load from it fell on their hut burying them.

“The NHPC has to compensate for the people who have lost their lives in yesterday’s accident. We do not know the exact number of people who are missing and the exact cause of the accident. We will find that out first and then place our demand accordingly,” said Pakhrin.

According to the police the cause for the accident and the exact number of people missing have not yet been ascertained.

NHPC engineer-in-charge R.K. Verma, however, refuted all allegations levelled by the GNLF.

“Though the exact cause of accident is yet to be known, there was no carelessness on our part. Like the previous accident we will provide adequate compensation if we find it is needed,” said Verma over phone from Kurseong.