Amritsar Train Accident : All That Is Known So Far

In an event of burning a Ravan effigy on the occasion of Dusshera, at least 300 people were present at the Dhobi Ghat ground, barely 2 km from the Amritsar station, when the tragic incident took place that killed at least 60 people and left over 50 people injured. The Chief Minister Amarinder Singh have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident under the police commissioner who will submit a report in 4 weeks.

Many of the people stood on the tracks close to the Jaura Phatak crossing to get a better view of the burning Ravan as the first of the trains, 74643 Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU, ran them over. The second train, the 13006 Amritsar-Howrah Express, sped past seconds later and some of those who had jumped on the second set of tracks to escape the first were caught under it. The people who were hit reportedly could not see or hear the trains due to the exploding crackers.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones. He has approved Rs. 2 lakh for the family of those deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured.

The Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh has announced Rs. 5 lakh compensation to the families of accident victims.

After the incident, former lawmaker Navjot Kaur Sidhu blamed railway authorities for not issuing directions regarding movement of trains near the tracks. She was also the chief guest of the function. “The effigy of Ravana was burnt and I had just left the site when the incident happened. Priority should be to get the injured treated,” she said.

Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu urged the opposition to not give this tragedy a political shape. He said,”Nobody has done it deliberately. However, there is a big negligence.”

Indian Railway Board Chairman Ashwani Lohani said that railway department is not responsible for the dreadful incident. He said, it would be wrong to say that the Railways is responsible for the tragic incident. He added that people need to be more alert.

OPPOSITION ATTACKS CONGRESS LED STATE GOVERNMENT : 

Union minister and Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the entire onus was on the state government.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the tragedy that could have been avoided.

Former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal demanded an inquiry by a retired high court judge to fix responsibility and punish the guilty. His son and senior party leader Sukhbir Singh Badal said he was extremely sad to hear the unfortunate incident. He said,”Local organisers and police must answer how the celebrations were allowed to be held near the railway track.”

REACTIONS :

President Ramnath Kovind expressed his condolences to the bereaved families.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences. “I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in Punjab. I ask to convey my words of sympathy&support to families & friends of killed people & to wish soonest recovery to those injured.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said,”My thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one in the tragic train crash in Amritsar, India. Canadians are keeping you in our hearts tonight & wishing all those injured a full recovery.”