• By Nidhi Giri
  • Sat, 16 Nov 2024 07:40 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Jhansi Hospital Fire: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Saturday directed the district magistrate (DM) to take action against those responsible for sprinkling lime on the road and making elaborate arrangements at State-run Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, in Jhansi, where 10 newborns died in a massive fire, ahead of the visit of Deputy CM Pathak.

In a video message, Pathak condemned the act, stating, “Before I reached Jhansi Medical College, some person was laying lime powder on the roadside, which is very sad. I condemn this. And, I would ask the District Magistrate to identify the person, who got the work done, and take strong action against him. I will never accept this."

In a video circulating on social media, workers can be seen marking the road with lime powder, apparently in preparation for a VIP visit.

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Congress Reacts

The incident has sparked outrage, particularly from opposition parties. The Congress party took to social media, accusing the BJP government of “insensitivity."

“On one hand, children were burnt to death, their families were crying and wailing. On the other hand, lime was being sprayed on the road to welcome the Deputy CM. The family even says that there was filth spread all across the compound, which was cleaned before the arrival of the Deputy CM. This is the height of the government’s insensitivity. Children are dying by burning and this government is busy in polishing its face. Shameful!," the Congress stated in an X post.

Earlier, he met with the families of the deceased and stated that the government was standing with them in their tough times. He also said the government has sought a detailed report from the hospital administration. "The Yogi Adityanath government is standing with the children and their families. Our staff, doctors, and rescue team have worked bravely to save the children. All the firefighting equipment in the medical college was completely fine. A fire safety audit was conducted here in February, and a mock drill was also conducted in June," Pathak said in the statement.

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On Friday, Jhansi District Magistrate Avinash Kumar said the fire broke out around 10.45 pm in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), possibly due to an electrical short circuit.The children who were in the outer part of the NICU were rescued, along with some of those who were in the interior part.