CHANDIGARH (Face2News) 

Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today expressed deep shock and anguish over the tragic accident, in which a truck carrying pilgrims fell into a gorge near Manguwal barrier (Hoshiarpur) while returning from Chintpurni late last evening, which claimed 20 lives and injuring 17 of which three seriously injured. All the deceased were from Bajaj and Fethehpur villages of Kapurthala District.  Mr. Badal shared his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved families and prayed to the Almighty to give them courage to bear huge loss in this hour of crisis and grant peace to the departed souls. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also announced an ex -gratia grant of Re one lac each to the next of kin of the deceased and free medical treatment to the injured in the government hospitals, besides a financial assistance of Rs. 25,000 to each of the injured undergoing treatment in the private hospitals.  He also directed the Civil and Police administration to extend all possible help to ensure best and free treatment to all the injured in order to save the precious lives and make elaborate arrangements to send the bodies of  the victims at their native places.  Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Revenue and Public Relations Minister Mr. Bikram Singh Majithia also shared their heartfelt condolences over this tragic incident.