Cracker mishap: Compensation yet to be paid to victims' kin 2 weeks on

MCC affecting disbursal of aid; families unable to work while caring for survivors at hospital

-  HARINI M

M Mahalakshmi (18) was devastated when she heard that her mother was injured after an explosion at a firecracker unit in Sengamalapatti on May 9. Mahalakshmi's mother, M Malliga (34) suffered 45% burns in the accident, which claimed 10 lives and injured 14 workers.

Even though it has been more than two weeks since the fateful day, troubles are far from over for the victims and their families, as the government is yet to pay them the compensation.

"My grandmother and I have been staying here, at the Government Medical College Hospital in Virudhunagar, taking care of my mother. Every day, I watch helplessly as my mother suffers and cries in pain, and attempts to narrate the events that unfolded on the day of the accident," said an inconsolable Mahalakshmi.