The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team on Thursday managed to pull out two more bodies from the rubble of two buildings that collapsed in Greater Noida on Tuesday night, raising the death toll to nine.
While, the police have managed to arrest the fifth accused in connection with the building collapse from Tigri roundabout on Thursday morning.
The police said the accused have been identified as Qasim, a real estate agent, who allegedly lured the people to buy flats at a cheaper rate. According to the Chief Fire Officer Arun Kumar Singh, one of the bodies that was pulled out was identified as Naushad. “The rescue operation is under way,” said Mr. Singh.
Meerut Divisional Commissioner Amita C. Meshram, who had been appointed by the Uttar Pradesh government to probe the matter visited the site on Thursday and assured that no offenders will go unpunished.
Officials suspended
“The rescue operation is likely to end by Friday. Around 100 NDRF personnel working on various shifts through scientific ways,” said Ms. Meshram after inspecting the area.
Additional District Magistrate Gautam Budh Nagar Kumar Vineet informed that any person wanting to present any evidence or fact could do so by calling at his office number till July 25.
Ms. Meshram said two officials have been suspended and three inquiries are under way followed by an FIR registered by the Greater Noida police. Moreover, cases against 21 people including contractor, sub-contractor, builder, property dealer and architect have been registered under relevant sections of IPC.
“I assure, no offenders, directly or indirectly connected to the case, will go unpunished,” said Ms. Meshram.
She further said, “Not only the building collapse incident, the CM has also asked to inquire about the rampant illegal construction in the Shahberi village and submit the report directly to him.”
Rescuers have deployed heavy machinery to shift concrete slabs and used drills in a bid to reach people buried under the debris. Sniffer dogs were trying to trace any dead body beneath the debris. Mr. Yogi had ordered a compensation of ₹2 lakh each for family of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for those injured.
