Contrary to earlier estimates, Sunday’s earthquake caused extensive destruction in several parts of north Bengal, killing at least 10 persons.
State chief secretary Samar Ghosh, however, put the death toll at seven. Large parts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, also felt tremors. Chief
minister Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by Union minister of state for shipping Mukul Roy, left for Darjeeling on Monday. She also announced a
compensation of `2 lakhs for the families of each quake victim. “Although there can be no compensation for a life lost, we have decided to pay `2
lakhs to the families of the deceased who died in the natural disaster,” she added.
As soon as the news of devastation reached Kolkata on Sunday, the chief minister rushed state commerce and industries minister Partha Chatterjee
and minister for north Bengal development affairs Gautam Deb to monitor the rescue and relief work. From Bagdogra airport, Ms Banerjee went to
visit injured admitted at Siliguri hospital. She then drove to Kurseong where she held a meeting with the personnel of Darjeeling district
administration. GJM general secretary Roshan Giri and GJM MLAs were also present in the meeting.