Deaths post demonetisation: Women activists for setting up first-aid unit near ATMs

A day after a 56-year-old man died while standing in an ATM queue in Hooghly, Kolkata, women activist Neelam Katara on Sunday asked the government to establish a first-aid unit near ATMs to ensure that no untoward incident takes place in future.

"A first-aid unit should be set up near the ATMs to ensure that there are no more deaths," she told ANI.

Expressing grief over the untoward incident, Sharma said that this episode was quite astonishing as West Bengal is known for its hospitality.

"The incident is appalling as it is coming from a state, which is known for its kindness and generosity," she said

Nobody came to the rescue of the man after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

Taking a dig at the Centre, Katara further said the government has not even expressed condolence on the death of people, who have lost their lives post demonetisation.

Another woman activist Kavita Shrivastava also lambasted the government for not coming up with a proper plan of action following the demonetisation drive and urged the ruling dispensation to find ways to end this deadlock as the general public is the worst sufferer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been facing flak from all quarters post the demonetisation of high-value currency notes, yesterday tried hard to sell it as an exercise for the larger good of the people and the nation.

"We had to stand in a queue to buy sugar, kerosene and wheat. Thanks to those who ruled for 60 years, this country was wasting away in queues," he said at a 'parivartan rally' in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh.

"What I have done is to start a queue to end all queues," he said, adding demonetisation has brought black money holders to the doors of the poor people.