Mundka fire: Kin of those who died stage protest, ask authorities to hand over remains of loved ones

NEW DELHI: Family members of those killed in the Mundka fire tragedy held a protest on Wednesday and demanded that the remains of their loved ones should be immediately handed over to them.

"Why are we being punished?" asked brother of Asha, a victim, as he along with other families gathered outside the building where the fire erupted to protest against the "inaction" of authorities.

At least 27 people were killed and many others injured in the massive blaze that ripped through a four-storey building in outer Delhi's Mundka on May 13.

According to the police, around 25-30 people, including men and women, assembled near the building.

The family members said it been over two weeks since the incident took place but the remains of several victims have not been handed over to their families.

The family members held placard that read -- 'Stop playing with the life of labour' and 'It was a tragedy not a accident'.

The Delhi Police had earlier said it had collected biological samples of 26 people, whose family members are believed to be killed in the fire, for DNA profiling.

Of the 27 bodies that were recovered, only eight bodies have been identified.

The protestors demanded that the remains of their loved ones who died in the incident should be handed over to them immediately.

They (family members) were heard patiently by police officials, but they were demanding CBI enquiry into the matter and also raised the issue of delay in forensic science laboratory (FSL) DNA report, police said.

"All of them were politely listened to and pacified. The HOD/Biology of FSL was contacted in their presence who assured the results will expedited," a senior police officer said.

The family members and other public persons were told that on receipt of the FSL report regarding matching of DNA profiles of deceased with the family members, the post-mortem of the deceased will be conducted and the bodies will be handed over to their kin, police said.

The family members asked why it was taking so much time for DNA profiling.

"We are tired of visiting the authorities. Our loved ones are still lying in the mortuary and nobody is doing anything. It has been over two weeks, how much more time do they want," the brother of victim Asha said.

Meanwhile, the family of 22-year-old Monika, another victim, said they are losing all hopes.

"We are tired. Her remains have not been identified. Why haven't received any update on investigation in so many days. Everybody has stop talking about the incident as if it was a small incident," Monika's father said.