Amritsar train accident: Driver had no clue about Dussehra celebration near tracks

The man, who was driving the train that ran over 60 people witnessing Dussehra celebrations in Amritsar on Friday, said during interrogation that he got go-ahead signal and had no idea about the celebrations. According to the driver, he didn’t have an iota of idea about people standing on track before the train actually crossed that area as he got the green signal to move head, he said during questioning.

The questioning of the diesel multiple unit (DMU) train was being questioned by Punjab Police and Railway Police.

The police said that the organisers at Amritsar’s Ravan effigy-burning programme at the Jora Phatak close to the railway tracks are now untraceable. It is learnt that police are now talking with the linemen who were posted along the tracks and never infirmed the DMU driver that there were people on the tracks.

The accident took place at a time when the effigies were being burnt amidst deafening noise of the crackers. Watchers standing near and on the tracks failed understand anything as the fast-moving train crushed them en route.

Around 60 people, many of whom were capturing the celebrations on their phones or were engrossed in celebratory activities were run over as the train passed in a flash of eyelids.

Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways, paid a visit to the site on Friday night itself and assured that investigation was carried out and the details will be out soon.

However, Punjab and Delhi railway authorities though said they were not informed about any Dussehra event near or o the tracks on Friday. Cops also didn’t prevent from standing near or on the tracks.

The blame game during prove will continue, but The Live Mirror asks a simple question: Who will take the responsibility of so many casualties?

ALSO READ: Amritsar train accident: 61 dead as speeding train mows down crowd at Dussehra celebration