NELLORE: The next of kin of those who had died in the blast in a fireworks manufacturing unit at Porlukatta are firm on immediate release of total compensation by the government.
The kin of the victims, who belong to the Yanadi tribe, are also insisting on constitution of a special development corporation for taking care of the needs and requirements of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).
In pursuance of their demands, the affected families continued the relay hunger strike at the blast site along with leaders of the AP State Yanadi Girijana Samakhya on Friday.
Samakhya president Gandalla Sriramulu and honorary president Sk. Basheer said that they met District Collector R. Mutyala Raju regarding the promises made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during his recent visit to the district.
They were told that a case under the SC, ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, 1989, had been filed against the main accused in the case.
In all, 15 persons died in the blast. They used to earn Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per day by working in such hazardous units in the Porlukatta area on the banks of the Penna.
As per the new guidelines, each bereaved family would get a compensation of Rs.8.25 lakh, in additional to Rs. 5,000 pension, an agricultural well, and three months ration.
Already, cheques for Rs.5 lakh each were handed over to the families of the victims.
The remaining amount would be disbursed once the district officials received orders from the government.
The Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS), the Mala Mahanadu, the Congress, the CPI(M), and the Nellore Bar Association extended their solidarity with the protesting families.
