Title - Chandy, VS call for assistance

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan have called upon the Centre to sanction immediate financial assistance for the next of kin of those who had lost their lives in the train-car collision at Aroor in Alappuzha district on Sunday.An official press note said the Chief Minister had got in touch with Railway Minister in-charge C.P. Joshi and Union Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniappa seeking urgent assistance. The Chief Minister sought immediate appointment of guards at all unmanned level crossings. In his statement, Mr. Achuthanandan said Railways must own up responsibility for the loss of five lives at Aroor, as the main cause for the tragedy was their refusal to appoint guards at unmanned level crossings. Union Minister of State for Power K.C. Venugopal has demanded that the Railways provide compensation to the families of those who were killed in the accident.Mr. Venugopal said that the level crossing at which the accident occurred will be manned from Monday. Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash, who visited the site, announced an immediate financial aid of Rs 10,000 from the State Government to the families of the deceased. Higher amounts will be provided after the Cabinet meeting.