Dead bodies of Srinagar blast victims arrive in Kolkata

Kolkata, July 12 (UNI) The bodies of those killed in the grenade attack on tourists from west Bengal in Srinagar yesterday was flown to Kolkata via Delhi late this evening by a special Indian Air Force flight.

The bodies were accompanied by CPI(M) MP Sudhangshu Sil, among others.

Speaking to newspersons, Mr Sil urged the tourists from Bengal to avoid going to Kashmir for the time being.

Six injured tourists were also flown to the city on the same flight. All the injured were rushed to the SSKM Hospital immediately on arrival.

A large number of relatives and mediamen gathered at gate no 7 in the international cargo complex, where the bodies were being handed over to relatives.

State Sports and Transport Minister Subhas Chakraborty was supervising the arrangements at the airport with senior officials of Airport Authority of India, Central Industrial Security Force and West Bengal Police.

Leaders of the Airports Authorities Union were also seen helping out.

Earlier, the bodies were flown by an Indian Airlines flight from Srinagar to Delhi.

Two West Bengal Ministers, Gautam Deb and Manab Mukhopadhay are in Delhi supervising further arrangements to bring back Bengali tourists, who wish to return.

The casualty figure has reached seven following the death of injured Ashish Ghosh Roy, who succumbed to injuries today. Ashish's body will be brought back tommorow.

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