Mamata announces Rs 5 lakh to families of killed CRPF men

Cooch Behar (West Bengal), April 25 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday visited the houses of two CRPF troopers killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh and announced Rs 5 lakh and government jobs to their next of kin.

Twenty-five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel lost their lives in Sukma district on Monday. Three of the troopers were residents of West Bengal.

"Three jawans from Bengal were martyred in Sukma. Bengal's jawans have always worked for the service of the nation," Banerjee tweeted.

The Chief Minister, now on a tour to northern West Bengal, visited the houses of the two troopers - Krishna Kumar Das and Binay Chandra Barman - who hailed from Cooach Behar and announced financial aid for their families.

"The death of CRPF jawans in Sukma is very sad. We have decided to give financial assistance of Rs five lakh & govt job to families," she said.

Meeting media persons at Das's house, the Chief Minister said the 27-year-old youth had married only recently.

"What has happenned is unfortunate. But one who has passed away cannot be brought back.Our responsibility is to stand by the bereaved families and help them in every was possible."

Banerjee said she has asked a senior minister to visit the house of Arup Karmakar, the other deceased trooper from the state who hailed from Nadia district, and stand by the bereaved family.

"I have asked my minister Jyotipriyo Mullick to reach Kolkata airport to receive the body of Karmakar. He would also attend the funeral ceremony in (Nadia district's) Karimpur. All the three families would get the financial assistance and a government job if they need it," Banerjee added.