Pulmedu, Saturday, January 15, 2011: Kerala government has declared Rs five lakh as solatium to the next of the kin of those killed, Rs 50,000 for the seriously injured and Rs 25,000 for those who sustained small injuries in the Pulmedu tragedy that happened on Friday night. Talking to reporters after visiting Kumali Hospital where dead bodies have been kept, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said the government would soon declare a judicial inquiry into the incident in which 102 Ayyappa devotees were killed.

Achuthanandan also noted that the Centre had already announced Rs one lakh to the families of the deceased. Achuthanandan added that the State government would conduct a judicial probe into the stampede at Pulmedu that claimed the lives of 102 Sabarimala pilgrims.

The Chief Minister said government would bear all expenses to take the bodies to their respective homes and immediate assistance of Rs 5,000 would be provided to the families of those killed.