Train mishap: PM, other top leaders condole death of migrant workers
Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad: Narendra Modi
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi were among the top leaders who expressed grief over the death of 14 migrant workers in a train accident in Maharashtra's Aurangabad.
Modi said all possible assistance is being provided.
Sixteen migrant workers sleeping on the rail tracks were crushed to death by a goods train in Maharashtra's Aurangabad district on Friday morning.
In a tweet, the prime minister said, “Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Have spoken to Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation”.
The workers were returning to Madhya Pradesh and had been walking along the tracks. They later slept on the rail tracks due to exhaustion.
In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul said, “I am shocked at the news of the killing of labourers after being crushed under a goods train. We should be ashamed of the treatment being meted to our nation builders. My condolences to the families of those killed and I pray for the early recovery of the injured”.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also termed the incident as extremely sad and disturbing and demanded that adequate compensation be given to the families of those who died.
“During the nation-wide return of labourers, the incident that took place in Aurangabad is extremely sad and disturbing,” she said.
In a tweet in Hindi, she said the lockdown has “destroyed” the lives of the poor.
“They have no means to make a living. All the families who suffered in this incident should get compensation and all possible help,” she said.
Taking to Twitter, the Odisha CM said he was “deeply anguished” over the loss of lives in the incident. “My condolences to the bereaved families,” the chief minister tweeted.
Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wished speedy recovery to the injured. “Pained at the loss of lives due to a rail accident at Aurangabad, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. Pray for quick recovery of the injured,” the minister tweeted.
Union Minister of State for MSME, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Pratap Sarangi prayed for the wellbeing of the bereaved families.
“Saddened beyond words about the loss of lives in the rail accident near Aurangabad in
Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. Praying lord Jagannath for the speedy recovery to the injured,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
Among others, BJP national vice-president and former MP, Baijayant Panda said a high
level inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
“Deeply pained to learn of the train accident in #Aurangabad Maharashtra early today. The union govt is closely monitoring the incident & a high
level inquiry has been ordered. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the inured & condolences to the bereaved families,” Panda wrote on Twitter.
BSP supremo Mayawati on Friday said the death of migrant
labourers in Aurangabad was a result of the “insensitive attitude” of the Centre and state government and demanded that better arrangements be made for workers returning home. Mayawati also accused the Centre and state governments of ill-treating migrant
labourers.
“On Friday, a number of
labourers were killed in Maharashtra. This is result of the insensitive attitude of the Centre and State government. Government should give financial help and job to family of such
labourers,” the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
“Migrant labourers should be sent to their home through trains and buses. The government is realising money from them by selling tickets while showing mercy to the rich. The wards of rich, who went for coaching and foreign countries for their work, are being provided bus and flights but there are no arrangements for the poor,” she said.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said the policy of providing buses and trains to transport migrant workers was poorly designed, coordinated and implemented as he slammed the government for the “belated” decision on their transportation while
lakhs of people had begun their trek home.