Kolkata, August 20: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari sharply criticized the previous Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee following a tragic hotel fire on Mirza Ghalib Street in central Kolkata. The incident has claimed the lives of nine individuals so far.
In a social media post on Wednesday, the Chief Minister attributed this disaster to the persistent negligence and carelessness of the former administration.
“I am shocked and saddened by the unfortunate incident at the hotel on Mirza Ghalib Street in Kolkata,” he stated. “While we focus on rescue and relief operations and investigate the causes of the incident, it is impossible to ignore the truth before us. This tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the negligence left behind by the previous government.”
According to him, the infrastructure in Kolkata and other districts has been allowed to grow unchecked for years. Essential fire safety regulations were completely disregarded while granting permissions for buildings to operate as hotels and other businesses.
The Chief Minister asserted that the previous government deliberately ignored necessary audits, allowing unsafe conditions to persist. “We are continuously working to rectify the damage done during that period and to implement the safety regulations that should have been in place already,” he added.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragic event. The Chief Minister has directed the administration to ensure that the injured receive the best possible treatment and assistance.
Furthermore, he announced the formation of a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident. “We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring justice. We pray for the peace of the departed souls,” he stated.
Initial investigations by the police and the West Bengal Fire Service Department revealed that the nine victims, including two women and a child, did not die from burns but from asphyxiation.
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