Abhishek meets kin of lightning victims in Hooghly, pledges aid

Hooghly: National general secretary of Trinamool Congress Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday met bereaved family members of lightning victims in Hooghly and promised to sponsor the education of a girl orphaned in Khanakul, besides providing livelihood options to the kin of the others who died.
A 41-year-old farmer, Abhijit Sardar, was meanwhile killed by lightning in Khankul while he was working in his field, taking the district toll to 13 since Monday.Besides Hemanta and Malabika Guchhait of Balipur, Khanakul, lightning has claimed two persons each in Tarakeswar, Khanakul and Polba, and one each in Singur, Haripal, Goghat and Chanpdani.
“We will stand by their kin during these tough times. We will find livelihood options and support family members of the victims, including the Khanakul couple’s daughter whose education requirements will be taken care of,” said Banerjee who had on Wednesday also visited family members of lightning victims in Murshidabad.
Singur MLA Becharam Manna said: “The Trinamool is committed to serve the people of the state. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee and (her nephew) Abhishek Banerjee have stood by those in need over the years. BJP leaders, on the other hand, are seen only before polls.”