Arunachal CM Tukki visits 'killer bridge' at Seppa

Itanagar, Nov. 3 (ANI): Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on Thursday visited the site of incident, where more than 64 persons drowned and rest were rescued unharmed in a hanging bridge collapse at Seppa in East Kameng District.

A massive gathering and warm reception was accorded to Chief Minister Tuki, who was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Takam Sanjoy, host of MLAs of East Kameng District, Kumar Waii, Tani Loffa, Tapuk Taku and B.C.Tok, ZPM and General Secretary APCC.

The bridge was constructed in the year 1987-88 and commissioned in 1992.

At the time of chief minister Tuki's visit, following reports have been made available: five dead, eight missing, eleven seriously injured and 37 suffering with minor injuries.

Chief Minister Tuki in his speech said that the incident that happened at Seppa is the biggest and massive of such kind in the state.

"Jiban Bahut Kimti Hain" (Life is very precious). We are greatly shocked," he said.

Tuki cautioned that such incident should not be repeated again where a suspension bridge collapsed due to over load with more than 100 people on it just to catch a seasonal insect locally known as "Tari".

"All senior citizens, educated youths, govt. officials, NGOs etc. should come forward to guide the innocent people to take precautionary measures for proper use of the systems to avert such incidents in near future," he said.

He also conveyed his best wishes for early recovery of those seriously injured and instructed DC, Seppa, and his team to expedite the search operation.

He handed over Rs. 19 lakhs to DC, Seppa, as ex-gratia for the bereaved families and those injured in the incident.

The chief minister also handed over a sum of Rs. six lakhs donated by Congress President Sonia Gandhi through Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Member CWC, I/c Arunachal Pradesh for the bereaved families and injured persons and also conveyed the message of condolence of Sonia Gandhi in the meeting.

He announced Rs. one crore for immediate construction of new suspension bridge, which should be completed within March 2012.

While greeting the HoDs and public, Tuki cautioned and advocated that all government money should be properly utilized in a quality manner, as a permanent asset of the state and all money and works must be accountable.

Lok Sabha MP Takam Sanjoy spoke in detail all about the unfortunate day and suggested that bereaved families should be immediately provided ex-gratia.

He also said that new Bridge should be constructed at the earliest, as it is the life line for the people of Old Seppa and New Seppa.

Tapak Taku, the local MLA of Seppa, extended his heartfelt thanks and appreciated the generous step of the chief minister to visit Seppa at this hour of grief and sorrow just within two days after being sworn-in as the chief minister of the state.

He deeply consoled the bereaved families and assured to extend all possible help from his side.

Search operation is going on round the clock by Indian Army, CRPF, Civil Police, local people, youths and volunteers of the area. The courageous local youths and volunteers are rendering yeomen service in the search operation.

Later, a meeting with HoDs and public leaders of the District was held at Kameng Hall, Seppa, where Tope Bam, DC, Seppa, welcomed the VIPs and gathering. (ANI)