Sigachi blast: Kin of eight missing victims accept Rs 15 lakh interim relief, return home with assurances

With DNA tests confirming that none of the mutilated body parts recovered from the Sigachi Industries explosion site matched the eight missing workers, officials have persuaded the victims’ families to accept interim relief and return home after over ten days of waiting.

Led by Additional Collector B Chandrashekar, officials held extended counselling sessions with the families at the rehabilitation centre set up at Pashamylaram industrial area. Since June 30, the families have been camping there, hoping to find any trace of their loved ones.

With no biological evidence linking any remains to the eight missing workers and as the process to issue death certificates could take up to three months, officials brokered a settlement with the company’s management to pay Rs.15 lakh as immediate relief to each family. The management had earlier promised Rs.1 crore as ex gratia per deceased



worker.

Initially, the families refused the proposal, demanding a written assurance from both the company and the administration to honour all commitments, including the remaining Rs.85 lakh, within 90 days of death certificate issuance.

After multiple rounds of tense arguments and emotional appeals, the families relented when the management agreed to provide written assurance. In the case of married victims, Rs.7.5 lakh each was given to the mother and the wife. For unmarried victims, the full Rs.15 lakh was handed over to the parents.

Several family members broke down during counselling sessions, distraught over the absence of even a single physical remnant of their loved ones. “We had at least hoped to take home their remains. Not even a bone, not even ash. It’s unbearable,” one grieving relative said.

They are now preparing to leave the rehabilitation centre and return to their native places.