Probe team visits site, recreates accident scene

JALANDHAR DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER QUESTIONED AROUND 15 RAILWAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING RPF, GRP AND FEW LOCO PILOTS OF TRAINS

AMRITSAR: Jalandhar divisional commissioner B Purushartha, who is conducting inquiry into the Amritsar train tragedy that claimed 61 lives and left several people hurt during Dussehra celebrations at Joda Phatak here, inspected the accident site on Friday.

Purushartha, officials of Indian Railways, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) travelled in a diesel multiple unit (DMU) from Jalandhar to Amritsar. The DMU passed from the accident site around 6.40pm.

Purushartha also questioned around 15 Railways officials, including RPF, GRP and few loco pilots of the trains which passed the accident site before the tragedy.

Earlier, local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu had blamed the Railways for the tragedy.

Punjab chief minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh had directed to complete the inquiry in four weeks.

VICTIMS’ KIN STILL AWAIT JOBS

Two weeks have passed since the municipal corporation (MC) had announced to provide a job to one family member each from the victim families of the train accident but there is no progress so far.

While making this announcement on October 25, mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu and commissioner Sonali Giri had said that the House meeting will be called on October 27 to pass the resolution but due to festivals the meeting was postponed and has not been rescheduled till now.

Meanwhile, the state government has distributed cheques of ₹ 5 lakh each to the victim families and local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu had also announced on October 26 that the Punjab government will provide jobs to the next of kin after the completion of socio-economic survey. The MC had also decided to contribute in giving relief to the victims by giving jobs.

Arti, mother of Rohit, who died in train accident said, “We were promised jobs but have not received any proposal till now. Hopefully, we get the job within a month so that our financial crisis end.”

Speaking on the delay, Mayor said, “We were waiting for the festival season to end. Till now, no new date has been scheduled for the meet. Commissioner Sonali Giri is on leave. We will schedule the House meeting as soon as possible.”