In an apparent attempt to steer clear of the controversy shrouding the death of over 60 people in Amritsar train tragedy, the Punjab Congress on Monday shifted the onus onto the railways, even as the Punjab Government tried to pacify the anger by handing out compensation to the families of those killed in the unfortunate incident.
Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar and Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu raised a slew of questions on the “immediate clean chit” to itself by the Railways, while putting the blame on the driver of DMU (diesel multiple unit) train.
He asked why the train driver “was given clean chit within six hours and why his name was not revealed? Is it possible when a train is approaching guards can’t see it?...The land, the engine, driver, guards and police (GRP) all belong to the railways”.
Jakhar pointed that even after minor railway accidents, the enquiry by Commissioner of Railway Safety is must, and it was “perhaps the first instance in which the enquiry was not marked which raises many questions”.
Meanwhile, a one-and-a-half minute video of organiser of the event, Saurabh Madan alias Mithu, went viral in which he claimed that all necessary permissions and safety measures were taken, and repeated announcements were also made to the people from the stage to stay away from the railway tracks.
Mithu, son of local Congress councillor Vijay Madan who is close to Sidhu, alleged that he was being framed by some people who had “personal enmity” against him.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, who had ordered a magisterial inquiry in the case and is on four-day Israel tour, directed the officials to ensure quick and effective disbursement of relief and compensation to the victims of Amritsar rail tragedy and their families, besides all steps to maintain law and order in the area while reviewing the situation from Israel’s Tel Aviv through a Skype video conference.
On his direction, the State Government disbursed Rs five lakh compensation each to 21 families of the deceased under the first phase.
After handing over the cheques, Health Minister Brahm Mohindra said that in the next two days, compensation amount be disbursed to the remaining families of the victims.
At the same time, the National Human Rights Commission and Punjab State Human Rights Commission have also intervened. While the NHRC has issued notices to the state's Chief Secretary and the Railway Board chairman seeking detailed reports in the matter in four weeks, the PSHRC has sought report from the state DGP and the Chief Secretary by November 8.
On the other hand, the SAD-BJP coordination panel has decided to take up the fight for justice in “Amritsar Dussehra Khooni Saaka case”, while condemning the registration of cases under section 307 which was liable for life imprisonment punishment against 50 poor persons demanding justice in the case.
The joint panel demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to ensure justice to the poor victims.
Besides, it was decided that SAD-BJP delegation would meet the Governor VP Singh Badnore on Tuesday to demand justice for the poor victims including compensation of Rs one crore for the victims, Rs 50 lakh for the injured and a government job for each of the victim families.