Shock, grief, anger engulf holy city
Eyewitnesses say the crowd could not hear the approaching train as the crackers that packed Ravana effigy had just gone off
AMRITSAR :A passenger train that mowed down scores of people watching the Dussehra celebrations near Jaura Phatak (level crossing) was inaudible to the crowd as the firecrackers in the Ravana effigy were at a crescendo on Friday evening.
“We didn’t hear the train coming. It had become dark and everyone was watching the effigy in flames when the train suddenly appeared,” said Mintoo, a migrant labourer staying in the vicinity. Most of the victims are migrant labourers. “Families have been wiped out,” he said.
The diesel multiple unit (DMU) train was coming from Hoshiarpur to Amritsar via Jalandhar as scheduled around 7pm. Eyewitnesses said normally the Ravana effigy is burnt earlier but this time it was delayed as the chief guest arrived late.
Padam Singh Dhingra, a businessman who stays nearby, said, “The Ravana effigy was scheduled to be burnt at 6.15pm but the chief guest, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who is the wife of Amritsar (East) MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu, came late so the programme was running behind schedule. It was past 7pm when the effigy was burnt after her speech.” There was no barricading near the railway tracks nor any alarm raised by the authorities or organisers, said other witnesses.
Last year, there was no Dussehra celebration at this venue as it is in a congested area. Vicky Thakur, another eyewitness, said, “This venue is unsuitable to hold such a big crowd.”
“The administration and the Dussehra committee are at fault, they should have raised an alarm when the train was approaching, They should have made sure that the train halts or slows down,” another witness told ANI.
Seconds before the DMU train passed by, another train from Amritsar to Howrah via Jalandhar crossed an adjoining track but did not cause any casualty. There are three tracks in the area. A boundary wall separates the dhobi ghat ground from the tracks. “It is dark and my son is missing,” said a woman.
Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heartwrenching. 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.
NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister
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May God give strength to the bereaved and injured. Railways is providing all possible assistance at the site. I have cancelled all engagements in USA and immediately returning back to India.
PIYUSH GOYAL, railways minister
Rushing to Amritsar to personally supervise relief and rescue in tragic rail accident on Dussehra in Amritsar. My govt will give ₹5 lakh to kin of each deceased & free treatment to injured in govt and pvt hospitals. District authorities have been mobilised on war footing (sic).
AMARINDER SINGH, Punjab chief minister, on Twitter