Nagaland govt announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for Kohima bus crash victims
After legal formalities, bodies of five Ao Baptist Church women were handed over to grieving families members
File image of Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio (Photo: Meta)
Kohima, Feb 2: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed in a bus accident in Kohima district two days ago.
The Chief Minister also said a compensation of Rs 50,000 will be paid to each of those seriously injured in the accident and wished their speedy recovery.
Five women, members of the Chumoukedima Ao Baptist Church, were killed and several others injured when a bus with 32 passengers on board overturned around 21 km away from Nagaland's capital Kohima on Saturday evening, an official said.
According to local reports, the bus was returning from Mokokchung to Chümoukedima when the accident occurred between 10th Mile and Peducha on the night of January 31.
A preliminary investigation ruled out rash or drunken driving, an official statement said on Sunday, adding that a "likely mechanical failure was suspected".
"A detailed technical examination is underway”, it said.
Meanwhile, the bodies of five women were handed over to their families after legal formalities, the police said.
The injured passengers were taken to the Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research, Dimapur, for treatment, they said.
PTI