PM, Punjab CM announce relief; inquiry ordered
AMRITSAR (Pb), Oct 19:
At least 61 people were killed and 72 injured today evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train near here, officials said.
The train was going from Jallandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak where at least 300 people were watching ‘Ravana dahan’ at a ground adjacent to the tracks.
Sub Divisional Magistrate Amritsar (I) Rajesh Sharma said 61 people have died and at least 72 injured have been admitted to Amritsar hospital.
As the effigy was lit and the fireworks went off, a section of the crowd started retreating towards the tracks where a large number of people were already standing to watch the event, officials said.
However, two trains arrived from the opposite direction at the same time giving little opportunity to people to escape, they said.
Several people were mowed down by one of the trains, they said.
Wails and cries of people filled the air as friends and relatives frantically looked for their near and dear ones. Severed bodies, including of many children, were still lying on the accident site hours after the incident with angry people not allowing authorities to remove them.
It was heart rending sight as the dismembered body parts laid strewn on the blood-soaked ground. Many bodies could not be identified.
People shouted slogans against local MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was present as chief guest during the event. She later said she rushed to the hospital immediately after the incident.
She said the railways should have ensured that trains slow down near that section of the track during Dussehra celebrations.
“Every year, Dussehra celebrations take place there,” she said, adding she had left the place before the incident took place.
There was shock and disbelief as panic-stricken people recounted the horror.
“I have lost my minor child. I want him back,” an inconsolable mother could be heard.
“Several times we have been requesting the authorities and local leaders telling them to take up the issue with railway authorities to slow down the trains near this Phatak during Dussehra, but no one has listened,” a local said.
Another said people could not hear the sound of the approaching train due to bursting of fire-crackers.
Amritsar Police Commissioner S S Srivastava said there was a great rush because of the Dussehra celebrations, adding necessary action as per law would be taken.
A state mourning has been announced in Punjab on Saturday.
Amarinder Singh has ordered an inquiry into the incident.
“I am at the moment not aware of the reasons for this Ravana effigy being built next to a railway station. But the administration will look at it and we will check it when I go there tomorrow,” he said.
Singh, who was scheduled to leave for Israel this evening, has postponed his trip and will fly to Amritsar tomorrow morning.
He announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased.
He also directed the Chief Secretary to deploy all the necessary administrative officials to ensure that the injured are immediately shifted to hospitals across Amritsar. All private hospitals have also been asked to stay open, along with Government hospitals, to provide urgent free treatment and care to the injured.
Additional police forces, led by the DGP, have been rushed to the spot to control the situation.
The incident sent shock waves across the country. There was an outpouring of grief with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoling the loss of lives.
Modi announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured. He also directed officials to provide immediate assistance.
“Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching,” he tweeted.
“My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and I pray that the injured recover quickly. Have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required,” he said.
“Shocked to hear about the tragedy on rail tracks in Amritsar, Punjab. Understand Indian Railways and local authorities are taking steps to help affected people,” President Ram Nath Kovind said.
Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha, Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani and Northern Railway general manager Vishwesh Chaube are rushing to the spot while Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said immediate relief and rescue operations are being conducted.
Meanwhile, all services on Jalandhar-Amritsar route remained suspended three hours after Dussehra revellers standing across railway tracks were mowed down by a train.
While some trains are being diverted, many are stationed near Jalandhar, he said.
MoS Railways Manoj Sinha told reporters in New Delhi that medical teams are rushing to the spot. “I am also leaving for the site of the accident. As per initial information, people present near the railway track couldn’t hear the sound of the approaching train due to bursting of crackers,” he told before leaving for Amritsar.
Railways has issued helpline numbers – 0183-2223171, 0183-2564485 – for the kin of those injured and dead in the accident between Manawala and Ferozpur stations near Amritsar. The accident happened around 7 pm, officials said.
Telephone numbers at Manawala station are: 0183-2440024, 0183-2402927; and at Ferozpur: 01632-1072.
Railway officials termed the dead as “trespassers” and said they were unlikely to get any compensation from the national transporter as they were not passengers.
“Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic train incident that occurred in Amritsar. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the injured to recover quickly. Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations,” Goyal tweeted from the US, where he had gone to attend an event. He said he is returning to India immediately.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad has also expressed shock and grief over the loss of many precious lives in Amritsar train tragedy.
Azad, in a statement, conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families and expressed sympathies with the injured. Azad said, “it is a grave and unprecedented tragedy that has befallen the people of Punjab and I stand in solidarity with them in this hour of grief”.
Urging the Government to provide adequate compensation to the families of those dead and to the injured, Azad said that while no amount of compensation can recoup their loss and heal their wounds, yet the Government must come forward to stand with the grieving families. He called upon the State Government to extend adequate, prompt and quality medical care to those injured in the tragic mishap and take all possible steps to help them rebuild their lives.
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