Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, May 26: Union minister of state in the railways, K H Muniyappa, informed that he has directed the tahsildars of the concerned taluks maintain direct contact with the families affected by the recent air crash in Mangalore, till they are paid the full amount of compensation they are eligible to receive. He was addressing a press conference here on Tuesday May 25.

He said that he had visited Kundpur, Nada, Kirimanjeshwar, Gangolli, Uppinakote, Hemmady, Kemtoor, Malpe, Kolalagiri, Volakadu etc., in the district to visit ten affected families of 30 ill-fated passengers of the said flight, who lost their lives in the crash. Muniyappa said he had consoled the members of these families and assured all help from the government to tide over the situation. He had directed the revenue department officials to release compensation after fully getting satisfied that the beneficiaries are close relatives of the deceased, he explained.

“DNA test has been ordered for the identification of 22 bodies, as there have been difficulties in establishing their identities. The forensic laboratory at Hyderabad has said that it would require at least a week to complete the tests and announce the results. We have asked them to hasten the procedures and complete the formalities within three days,” he added.

Former minister, Vasant Salian, district Congress president, M A Gafoor, entrepreneur, Pramod madhwaraj, Kundapur assistant commissioner, Ramesh, local tahsildar, Prasannakumar, and others were present at the press conference.