Ludhiana: The death toll in the Focal Point building collapse incident rose to three on Monday when the body of the missing worker,

Lallan Kumar

, was found under the debris. Teams are working to clear the debris and authorities have requested an assessment of the structural safety of the remaining building. A large quantity of sulphuric acid and acetic acid was also found, which will be disposed of with the help of Punjab Pollution Control Board, in accordance with norms.
Deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said that the state government had announced an ex-gratia grant of Rs 2 lakh each to families of the three individuals who lost their lives in the incident. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora also announced Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia to families of the three deceased from his personal funds.
During his visit to Fortis hospital, deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said that the govt would cover medical expenses of the nine workers undergoing treatment there. They are currently in stable condition. He held discussions with doctors and assured comprehensive support to families of the workers.
Jorwal also said that while NDRF teams had been sent back, they would be on standby if additional assistance was required. As of now, he said, there were no reports of any workers trapped under the debris. The DC said that teams deployed at the site were clearing the area while adhering to safety protocols. He added that a magisterial inquiry, led by sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), east, Jasleen Kaur Bhullar, had been initiated to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Factory owner booked
After registering a case against four persons connected with Kohli Dyeing unit, which collapsed, police have registered an FIR against unit owner Naveen Kohli. Earlier, a case was registered against four persons, including factory caretaker Neeraj Kapoor, on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. His name was added after Focal Point Police enquired about the real owner of the factory from the Industry Department. Raids are on to nab the factory owner.
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