Mamata leads candlelight procession for AMRI victims

Kolkata, Dec 12: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday led a candlelight procession here in memory of the victims of Friday's fire at the AMRI Hospital. Thousands of mourners from all walks of life, carrying candles and joss sticks, joined Banerjee in the one and half a km walk from the Birla Planetarium to the Gandhi statue on the Maidan.

A galaxy of eminent personalities including singer Usha Uthup, writer Sunil Gangopadhyay, Dibyendu Palit, Nabanita Deb Sen, poet Joy Goswami and painter Shuvaprasanna were among the processionists. An all-faith prayer was organised near Gandhi's statue.

"This is a national mourning. So many lives were lost. We have gathered here at the call of Mamata Banerjee," Goswami said at the beginning of the prayers. Deb Sen demanded punishment for those responsible for the loss of lives.

PTI