HYDERABAD, May 24: Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Mahar has announced the constitution of a committee headed by Sindh chief secretary to fix responsibility for the loss of precious lives due to the consumption of contaminated water in Hyderabad.

The chief minister said the committee will submit its report in three days, and the culprits taken to task accordingly. He was speaking at a news conference here on Monday. Sindh ministers Dr Irfan Gul Magsi, Eng. Naeem Ishtiaq, local bodies adviser Waseem Akhtar, Muhammad Usman Malkani, Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkil Qazi and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

Expressing sorrow over the loss of lives due to consumption of contaminated water, Mahar announced an increase of Rs100,000 as compensation to the bereaved families, adding each family will be paid Rs200,000.

He was of the view that the tragedy had occurred due to non- coordination between the relevant departments. He said adequate quantities of medicines had been supplied to the hospitals for the treatment of patients. He assured that there would be no delay in providing relief to the affected families.

He said industrial waste will not be allowed to be disposed of in the Indus River, and warned that if the industrialists failed to setup a treatment plant, they would be penalized.

When his attention was drawn to the sale of substandard mineral water, the chief minister directed the concerned officials to arrest such people and prosecute them.

Later, the chief minister visited Liaquat University Hospital and inquired about the health of patients being treated there. He announced Rs2 million and 10 air-conditioners for the hospital. He also assured to release Rs50 million for the angiography department of the hospital.

DEMO: Hundreds of liberated peasants, including women and children, held a protest demonstration outside the press club here on Monday against the kidnapping of peasants from Husri and Zeal Park camps.