Wait for help adds salt to wound TNN, Mar 23, 2010,

BANGALORE: It has been a month since nine persons died in the Carlton Towers fire tragedy on February 23. Even as the grim realization that their loved ones are no more settles in, relatives of the victims have no information on compensation -- for some families the money is critical.

Neither have the survivors been contacted by authorities for enquiry. "The police took our statements when we were hospitalized on February 23. After that none of the survivors have been contacted by the police or any other authority for the case. We are the eye-witnesses and are the best people to describe the accident," said Nitin Dubey, a survivor of the tragedy, who works at Equis, a real estate company on the seventh floor of Carlton Towers.

"It was from the media that we came to know compensation has been declared. However, we haven't heard from the authorities so far," said Uday Vijayan, who lost his son, Akhil Uday, in the tragedy.

Some families lost their bread winner. "For instance, Fayaz Pashah was the sole bread winner of his family. It looks like we have to fight a battle to get the money," said Nitin.

They said that after the incident, no organization, public or private, came to their aid, apart from the media which contacted them for a couple of days.

As for Carlton Towers, the building retains the haunted look it had after the tragedy - it is still covered by shattered pieces of glass and soot.

CITIZENS' INITIATIVE

The relatives of the victims and survivors are neither ready to give up nor sit back lamenting and cursing their fate. Instead, many of them have come together to form a citizens' initiative for fire safety called `Beyond Carlton'.

"Our minds have shifted from sorrow and anger to what really happened that day. I felt that we could do something about it rather than sit over it and pass time. So I started calling other relatives and survivors and coordinated with them," Uday said on how the group was initiated.

The group includes family members of the victims, survivors and some concerned citizens. It has already got around 500 supporters in the Facebook group.

One of the main objectives is to fight for justice and to demand that all responsible persons are brought to light. "We want to keep up the pressure on the government so that the probe happens in the right way," said Uday, one of the brains behind the group, at the Press Club on Monday.

Also, the group wants to educate and create awareness among the public on fire safety. "The tragedy could have been avoided. The people need to know how to react in those situations," said Nitin. They plan to conduct workshops, round tables and work in association with the fire service department for this cause.

The members met the police commissioner last week and submitted a memorandum. They have also started working with NGOs like Namma Bengaluru Foundation to fight for justice. They demand that the Akrama-Sakrama scheme preclude buildings that violate fire safety norms.

REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS

A memorial service will be organized at 5 pm at Carlton Towers on Tuesday to observe one-month of the tragedy. It will be thrown open to the public.

`Beyond Carlton' also plans to observe the day as Fire Safety Audit Day. Workplaces, factories, schools, apartments and public places will be asked to conduct fire safety audits by checking the functioning of the fire alarms, fire extinguishers and fire exits.

QUOTE HANGERS

"The past one month has been a nightmare. We pinch ourselves to realize that our loved ones are not with us anymore. Can't believe it." __ Uday Vijayan, who lost his son Akhil Uday last month.