40 days after blast, 40 patients still in hospital

Mumbai, Aug 23 (UNI) Forty patients are still in hospitals, 40 days after the bomb blasts which took place on 7/11 in railway compartments here, killing 187 people and injuring 884, Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya today said.

''The railways and state government should make arrangements for full medical treatment of the patients, including provision of artificial limbs, medical rehabilitation,'' Mr Somaiya told reporters here.

He said inspite of request and follow up with various authorities for the last 40 days, yet special bench of railways claims tribunal for Mumbai has not been formed and the authorities have paid only Rs 1.19 crore as medical expenses till now.

''The railway and, political leaders should stop making hollow announcement and should see that the commitment and obligations are executed,'' he added.

Mr Somaiya said the state government has not paid medical expense to anybody while railways have paid to 85 people only.

He said the terrorists had attacked earning members and agewise analysis showed that 399 injured belonged to the age group of 21 to 50. 121 dead belonged to the age group of 21 to 60. In all, there were 1071 victims including the dead and injured.

UNI JM PM PA RK1857