Mamata Banerjee offers jobs to youngsters who rescued AMRI patients

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday announced that the locals who had risked their lives to rescue people from the AMRI Hospital fire would be given jobs with the Green Police, a band of volunteers who assist in controlling traffic.

Banerjee was speaking at the Kolkata Police investiture ceremony where she handed over Rs5,000 each to 65 youths who had voluntarily played a key role in the rescue efforts after a fire broke out at the Annexe 1 building of the hospital in South Kolkata’s Dhakuria. 93 people - 91 patients and two nurses - were killed in the blaze, the worst in any hospital in India.

“They have done extraordinary work. If they want jobs, we can absorb them in the Green Police,” she said.

Two of the bravehearts - Shankar Maity and Tarit Purkait - are now in hospital after they fell ill due to the toxic fumes. Their cheques were received by their family members.