Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday handed over compensation to the next of kin of 16 victims who lost their lives in the devastating landslides that struck the Darjeeling Hills following continuous rainfall on 4-5 October.

The chief minister visited Dudhia, near Siliguri, where a major bridge collapse has disrupted connectivity between Mirik and Siliguri. During her visit, she met family members of 16 victims and personally handed over cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the bereaved families. A family that lost three members received Rs 15 lakh as compensation.

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According to official reports, 23 people have died in the Darjeeling Hills, including 11 in Mirik, while two were from outside the Hills and five were Nepal nationals. In addition, five deaths have been reported fr

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