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    Over 55 Killed As Train Mows Down People Watching 'Ravana Dahan' Near Amritsar

    Darpan News Desk IANS, 19 Oct, 2018 11:03 AM

      At least 57 people were killed and 72 injured on Friday 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 coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak where at least 300 people were watching ‘Ravana dahan’ at a ground near the tracks.

       

      Sub Divisional Magistrate Amritsar I Rajesh Sharma said 52 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 Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was present as chief guest during the event. She later said she rushed to the hospital immediately after the incident.

       
       
       
       

      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.

       

      Punjab Government has ordered state mourning. All offices and educational institutions to remain closed tomorrow in wake of Amritsar train tragedy.

       
       
       
       

      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 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,” Kovind said.

       

      Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased and said he was rushing to the spot to personally supervise rescue and relief operations.

       
       
       
       

      He also announced free treatment to all injured in the accident.

       

      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.

       

      Minister OP Soni was attacked by the mob when he reached the spot. He was rescued by the police.

       
       
       
       

      AMRITSAR TRAGEDY: EYEWITNESS SAYS SCENES REMINISCENT OF ‘PARTITION’

       
       

      Heart-rending scenes were witnessed here as Dussehra celebrations turned tragic on Friday when a train ploughed through people standing across the tracks watching and revelling as the effigy of Ravana went up in smoke.

       

      The train mowed down at least 52 revellers within seconds as it zipped though them—crushing and blowing away anybody who came in its way.

       

      At least 300 unsuspecting people were at the spot watching ‘Ravana dahan’ at a ground adjacent to the tracks. The celebratory crowd broke into chaos as cries and wails filled the air. Dismembered body parts of revellers laid strewn on tracks and on the blood-soaked ground.

       
       
       
       

      An eyewitness told reporters near the accident site that scenes were reminiscent of ones witnessed during the Partition of the country when millions of people lost their lives in violence.

       

      For several mothers, who were till just moments ago celebrating the festivities, the few fateful moments changed the life forever.

       

      Shock and disbelief were common emotions.

       

      “I have lost my child. I want him back,” said an inconsolable mother.

       
       
       
       

      A local resident said they have been requesting the authorities and their representatives in legislatures to talk with the railways and make sure trains are slowed down near this section of the track during Dussehra.

       

      “But no one has listened,” he lamented.

       

      There was also anger among the people.

       

      “The driver didn’t blow the horn,” alleged one of the witnesses.

       

      The train was going from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak.

       

      Sub Divisional Magistrate Amritsar I Rajesh Sharma said 52 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.

       
       

      AMRITSAR TRAGEDY: RAJNATH ANNOUNCES ALL POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE

       
       

      Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday announced all possible assistance by the Centre to Punjab as a large number of Dussehra revellers standing across railway tracks were mowed down by a passing train near Amritsar.

       

      “Pained beyond words at the loss of precious lives due to a train tragedy during Dussehra festivities in Punjab. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured,” Singh tweeted soon after the incident. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was extremely saddened by Amritsar train accident. He asked officials to provide immediate assistance.

       

      Congress chief Rahul Gandhi asked state government, party workers to provide immediate relief at Amritsar train accident site

       

      Railways is conducting immediate relief, rescue ops, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said.

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

      OPPN ATTACKS CONG-LED GOVT OVER AMRITSAR TRAIN ACCIDENT

       
       

      A tragic train accident here on Friday took a political turn with the Opposition accusing the state’s Congress government for lapses in allowing celebrations near railway tracks and Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu’s wife facing allegations of leaving the site soon after the incident.

       

      Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the event, later talked to media at a hospital where injured were taken and said her priority was to ensure they receive proper treatment.

       

      “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.

       
       
       
       

      She also asked people to refrain from politicising the issue.

       

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

       

      There are not enough words to mourn the Amritsar train tragedy that claims so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The incident needs to be probed as it casts serious question on administration,” she tweeted.

       

      BJP leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the initial reports suggest it was a tragedy that could have been avoided.

       
       
       
       

      Another Akali leader Bikram Majithia said he was distressed to hear the unfortunate news of the train accident.

       

      “The authorities oncerned must be held accountable for the ill-fated accident and strict action must be taken against the guilty police officers and organisers,” he said.

       

      Some Opposition leaders also alleged that the Dussehra was organised by the Congress near the tracks without receiving any proper approval.

       

      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.

       

      “Local organisers and police must answer how the celebrations were allowed to be held near the railway track,” he said on Twitter.

       

      More than 55 people were killed and over 70 injured on Friday 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 coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar when the incident occurred at Joda Phatak where at least 300 people were watching ‘Ravana dahan’ at a ground near the tracks.

       
       
       
       

      Sub-Divisional Magistrate Amritsar I Rajesh Sharma said 52 people have died and at least 72 injured have been admitted to Amritsar hospital.

       

      All major parties including the BJP, the Congress and the AAP said they have asked their respective local party workers to help in relief and rescue operation.

       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
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