Union seeks ex gratia for woman killed in landslide

DIYUN, 4 Jul: The Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students’ Union (APCSU) on Monday appealed to the governor and the chief minister to provide ex gratia financial assistance, “as per norm,” to the family of a 32-year-old woman who died after being buried alive in a landslide near her village in Kokila Chakma Block No 1 in Balijan circle of Papum Pare district on 28 June.

The deceased, identified as Momita Chakma, along with her son was out to collect firewood when the incident took place.

“Her son managed to escape by running, but Momita Chakma could not, and got buried under the debris of the landslide. Her dead body was recovered by the NDRF team after

an extensive search operation of more than a day,” the union stated in a release.

The deceased is survived by her husband and a son.

In separate letters submitted to the governor and the chief minister, the APCSU stated that “ex gratia relief to the poor family, either from the governor’s relief fund or the chief minister relief fund will immensely help the family, in particular towards educational purposes of the deceased’s children.”

The union also requested for ex gratia relief for other people who lost their lives in the recent landslides in the state.