Man who played Ravan among those mowed down
AMRITSAR : In a tragic irony, Dalbir Singh, 30, who played the role of Ravan at the Dussehra event, was among those killed when a train mowed them down as the effigy burnt near Jaura Phatak in Amritsar on Friday.
Dalbir had received a medal from chief guest Navjot Kaur Sidhu and Congress councillor Vijay Madan’s son Saurabh Meethu Madan at the function after which he was watching Ravan’s effigy go up in flames.
Dalbir, who ran a kite shop for a living, married Navpreet Kaur only last year and has an eightmonth-old daughter, Pari.
His unconsolable mother Sonu said, “My son used to play the roles of Ram or Laxman at Ramlila every year. This time, he acted as Ravan.” His father Swaran Singh had also died after being hit by a train 10 years ago.
Dalbir’s sister Soniya blamed the administration and railways for negligence. “We want justice. Action should be taken against the culprits,” she said.
RUSH TO RESCUE
Spectators at the site were quick to respond to the tragedy. They joined police and officials in taking the injured to hospitals and collecting body parts of the dead.
“I gathered amputated limbs of people with bare hands,” said Pawan Malhotra, a local resident, who left the spot seconds earlier. “I would have been among the dead had my friend not called up. Soon after I left the tracks, I saw the train approaching towards people watching Ravan burn,” he said.
Another eyewitness, Vivek Kohli, said it was a heartwrenching sight. “I have seen it all. The administration and railways are totally at fault. How can they hold such a show without proper arrangements?” he said.