Arvind Kejriwal announces Rs 1 crore compensation, job for family of slain Delhi firefighter

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 1 crore for the family of the slain firefighter Amit Kumar Balyan, 28, who died in the line of duty on Thursday.  

Kejriwal also met the family members of the Delhi Fire Services personnel who lost his life during fire fighting operations at a factory in Peeragarhi.

"Amit Baliyan laid down his life while serving the people of Delhi. Nothing can bring back a loved one lost, but the Delhi government will provide his family with ? 1 crore as financial assistance. It's the least we can do as a society..." Kejriwal said in a tweet.

Delhi government also announced a government job to one of the family members of the fireman.

Balyan had joined the Delhi Fire Service on June 10, 2019. He was a resident of Delhi’s Meetnagar area and was posted at the Kirti Nagar fire station. He married in February 2019 and is survived by his wife, father, mother, one younger brother and two younger sisters.

"Amit Baliyan put his life at risk to protect the people from the fire. He lost his life while protecting people. The whole nation and the city is thankful to him. We all are



sad after losing him. I met his wife, mother and father. All are in extreme grief. We cannot bring back Amit but we will provide his family with Rs 1 crore as financial assistance and a job to a member of the family," said Kejriwal after meeting Balyan's family members.

Balyan along with other firemen was trapped after the factory building which he entered for rescue operation collapsed following a blast. 

He was retrieved from the inferno along with other trapped persons but succumbed to his injuries at a hospital later. Over 14 people were injured in the incident including 13 firefighters but the fire was doused in a few hours. 

The fire department first got the distress call at 4.30 am after which they scrambled a few fire engines. As many as 35 fire engines were pressed into service later as the situation intensified. 

Rescue operations concluded in the afternoon and all firefighters and trapped persons were retrieved.

The factory was located at Udoh Nagar area of Peeragarhi. 

Those injured, including fire brigade personnel, were taken to Sanjay Gandhi hospital and the Balaji Action hospital," police officials said.