Zee Media Bureau/Ajith Vijay Kumar
New Delhi/Patna: Twelve coaches of New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express (12236) derailed near Golden Ganj station in Bihar early Wednesday. At least four passengers were killed and eight injured in the incident.
Five coaches - B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4 and pantry car - overturned as a result of the derailment, while seven other coaches - B-5 to B-10 and power car - got derailed near the station, about 75 kms from Patna, Railway spokesperson Anil Saxena said.
The accident occurred at around 0200 hours between Chapra and Golden Ganj stations, minutes after the train left Chapra.
Saran Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar said: "Four passengers were killed and eight others were injured in the accident. All the injured were admitted to the hospital for treatment and some of them referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital in Patna".
Kumar ruled out any sabotage or hand of Maoists behind the derailment of the Rajdhani Express train.
"It is an accident and a result of technical fault," he said.
"About 500 metres of railway track was found uprooted, but no evidence of a blast or any other explosives recovered from the accident site," Kumar added.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, meanwhile, refused to confirm the sabotage theory, saying it was too early to blame Maoists for the derailment.
In another crucial development, three timer bombs have been found 25 km from the spot where the train mishap took place.
Railway Board chief Arunendra Kumar said prima facie the cause for derailment seems to be sabotage by the Maoists. Railway Minister DV Sadanand Gowda also said that one of the reasons behind derailment could be sabotage.
Gowda expressed grief over the loss of lives in the mishap. He directed the Railway administration to render best possible treatment to the injured passengers.
Describing it as a “very unfortunate incident”, Gowda announced that the Commissioner Railway Safety, Eastern Circle, will inquire into the matter. Gowda further informed that senior rail officials are at the site, and another train has been arranged for passengers of the ill-fated train.
Also Read: Rajdhani Express derailment: Railway suspects 'sabotage'
The Railway Minister and Minister of State for Railway Manoj Sinha have rushed to the site along with Railway Board Member Traffic, DP Pandey, and Member Mechanical, Alok Johri. Home Minister Rajnath Singh will meet Ministry of Home Affairs officials to assess details of the incident.
Talking to a news agency, Railway Board chairman Arunendra Kumar said: "Prima facie, it appears to be a case of sabotage. There was a blast on the track, which could have caused the derailment.”
"Another goods train, 60 kms away from the station, also got derailed due to a blast. 18 wagons got derailed in the accident," Kumar added.
The ultras had called for a bandh and blockade in the area today to protest security forces' "strong armed" action against "innocent people" in the area on suspicion of being Maoists sympathisers.
Meanwhile, Sushil Kumar, Chapra ASP, said he has no evidence of sabotage. “We are investigating all angles,” he added.
Chapra MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who visited the site of train derailment, said it is too early to speculate on the role of Maoists in the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been apprised of the incident, the BJP leader added.
In the meantime, Congress Lok Sabha leader and former railway minister Mallikarjun Kharge said safety should be top priority and hoped Gowda would take quick and strict action. RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, meanwhile, took a dig at the government, describing the incident result of gross negligence on part of the administration as it is "still busy in celebrating its victory" in Lok Sabha polls. "If Maoists had announced blockade much earlier, why no precautions were taken," asked Yadav.
Also Read: Lalu blames Railways for Rajdhani Express accident
Senior officials of East Central Railway and medical team rushed to the site and were supervising the relief and rescue operations.
The Railways has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of those dead. The seriously injured passengers will get Rs 1 lakh each while those with minor injuries will receive Rs 20,000 each.
Helplines have been set up to provide information to families of the victims and other passengers at Chapra, Samastipur, Hajipur, Sonpur, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Balia, Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Mariani, Dimapur, Lumding, New Coochbehar, New Jalpaiguri and Katihar.
Helpline numbers:
Chapra – 06152-43409
Hajipur – 06224 -272230
Muzaffarpur – 0621 – 2213034
New Delhi - 011-23342954
Also Read: New Delhi-Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express derailment - Helpline numbers
First Published: Wednesday, June 25, 2014, 04:05
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