Chandigarh, 12 April (H.S.)

:

Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora on Sunday visited the families of victims of the tragic Vrindavan boat mishap in Ludhiana, expressing deep condolences and assuring full support during their time of grief. He was accompanied by Kulwant Singh Sidhu.

During the visit, Arora met the family of Rakesh Gulati and his wife Anju Gulati, as well as the family of Meenu Bansal and her daughter Dinki Bansal, who lost their lives in the accident. The minister spent time with the bereaved families, sharing their grief and offering emotional support.

Speaking to the families, Arora said that no words can truly ease the pain of losing loved ones. “I have come here not just as a minister, but as a human being to stand with you in this difficult time,” he said.

The minister strongly criticised the negligence that led to the mishap, stating that the incident was not merely an accident but a result of carelessness. He demanded strict action against those responsible and called for a high-level, time-bound investigation to ensure accountability. “Those responsible must face strict legal consequences and should not be allowed to escape,” he asserted.

Arora further said that the Punjab government will coordinate with the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure swift justice and to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future. He assured the families of all possible assistance, both from the government and on a personal level, adding that they could reach out to him anytime for support.

MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu echoed similar sentiments, assuring that all necessary help would be provided at the local level.

Meanwhile, the body of Dinki Bansal was recovered from the Yamuna River on Sunday. Her mortal remains are expected to reach Ludhiana late at night, bringing further grief to the already devastated families.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH