One charred body, 2 claimants

Eighteen bodies that were found at the Surya Sen Street market complex have been handed over to relatives, but two bodies still remain unidentified. One of the bodies is so badly charred that it is difficult to identify.

Police on duty at the morgue said that relatives of Esaron Bibi — who lost her son — and Swapan Poddar — who lost his nephew — both claimed the charred body.

However, a DNA test might be required before the body is handed over to one of the claimants, sources said. The family of Shamik Das, a porter who died in yesterday's fire, today visited the morgue and narrated their ordeal.

Shamik's sister Himani Dey said, "We came to the morgue late last evening but could not identify Shamik's body. We spent a sleepless night as we were worried. This morning, however, we identified the body. Now we can perform the last rites."

Sonali Guha, deputy speaker of the Assembly, was seen monitoring the work near the morgue while bodies were being handed to relatives.

Shop owners and assistants of the market have decided to organise the last rites of one of the victims who did not have any relatives.

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