Sat Nov 16 18:03:52 UTC 2024: ## Jhansi Hospital Fire Kills 10 Newborns; UP Government Orders Multi-Pronged Probe

**Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh:** A devastating fire at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of 10 newborns on Friday night. The blaze, which broke out around 10:45 PM in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), also injured 16 infants. While Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attributed the cause to a short circuit, a four-member committee has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the tragedy and determine if negligence played a role. The committee, headed by the Director General of Medical Education and Training, is mandated to submit its report within seven days.

The incident sparked immediate outrage and a political blame game. Opposition parties criticized the state government’s handling of the situation, highlighting concerns about administrative negligence. However, the Uttar Pradesh government swiftly rejected allegations of expired fire extinguishers, asserting that the firefighting equipment was functional and that a fire safety audit was conducted in February, followed by a mock drill in June. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak announced a three-tiered probe involving the Jhansi Divisional Commissioner, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, and the fire department, alongside a magisterial inquiry.

The state government is providing financial assistance to the affected families: Rs 5 lakh for each deceased infant and Rs 50,000 for each injured child. While most children were rescued within 20 minutes, confusion remains regarding the exact number of infants in the NICU at the time of the incident. Police are working to verify reports that some parents took their children home after the fire.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken notice of the incident, issuing a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and police chief, demanding a detailed report within a week. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences and announced financial aid for the victims’ families. The tragedy unfolded just weeks before by-elections in nine Uttar Pradesh Assembly seats, adding further fuel to the political firestorm.

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