Negligence of Victims Reason for Amritsar Train Tragedy: Railways

The CCRS also recommended that prior intimation to railways should be given by the organisers to hold big events.

A woman cries holding on to her husband during the cremation of her son who was killed in the train accident.

(Photo: AP/ Prabhjot Gill)

The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) has concluded in its inquiry that the reason for the accident on the train tracks in Amritsar on Dusshera that killed over 60 is the negligence of persons reportedly standing on and near the railway tracks witnessing Dusshera Mela at Dhobi Ghat, ANI reported, citing sources.

The CCRS reportedly also recommended that prior intimation to railway administration should be given by the district administration/organisers to hold big events like melas and rallies so that railways can take proper precautions in consultation with stakeholders.

Meanwhile, a 300-page magisterial probe report on the accident was submitted to the Punjab Home Secretary on Wednesday, 21 November.

Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner B Purushartha, who was appointed special executive magistrate by the government to probe the accident, said the report was submitted to Punjab Home Secretary NS Kalsi.

Soon after the submission of report, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh asked Home Secretary Kalsi to "immediately examine" the report to "put up" the file before him, an official said.

The report had statements of over 150 people. They included Railway officials and Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the Dussehra event, held close to the railway tracks in Amritsar.

The report would be examined by the Home Department, a senior official said.

Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who had questioned the Railways for giving a clean chit to the train driver, had submitted his statement in writing too.

Opposition Akali Dal had rejected the institution of a magisterial probe and sought the registration of a criminal case against Navjot Kaur Sidhu and the event organisers.

About 60 people were mowed down by a train that hurtled through a crowd, which had spilled onto the railways tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy on Dussehra this year.

The Railways had initially refused to order a probe, saying it was a case of trespassing and not of negligence by its officials or the loco-pilot.

But two weeks after the accident, it said the Chief Commissioner of Railway safety would probe the tragedy.

Additional Director General of Police (Railways) Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota is separately conducting an inquiry into the Amritsar train accident to fix responsibility.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)