This article originally appeared in www.nwoow.com dated August 20th, 2013
As the fateful train mows down 37 pilgrim passenger in Bihar, the negligence on part of railway and state government is being uncovered. The nwooow team were the one of the first to reach the fateful site. Though an high level enquiry has already been ordered by the railway ministry, our team finds that it was little to blame on part of railway or state administration.Pilgrim passengers' act surprised the driver
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Devotees killed while attempting to stop Rajya Rani Express knowingly it does
not has stoppage there.
*The
train was not supposed to halt at Dhamara Ghat and was given clearance to pass
through. Being a Super fast train it was running at around 80 kmph, which is
normal to it. Hence all claims of over speeding seems to be an emotional
argument.
* A
large number of pilgrims attempted to stop the train to board. They gathered together at the middle of the
track to stop the train.
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This surprised the driver of the fast moving Rajya Rani express who applied the
emergency brakes, but it was not possible to stop spontaneously. It took its
time and distance to stop.
Some
160 kilometers away from state capital where the tragic train tragedy took
place on fateful Monday, the scene is still grotesque. Some bodies were
trampled enough beyond recognition, some bodies cut down to two-three pieces.
None of the dead were having their full body parts with them. Though the
official figures come to 28, local media claims the toll to 37.
Due
to lack of administration at Dhamara Ghat station for 3 hours immediate
precipitants took away the injured (or
dead) at their own. Majority of the fateful pilgrims were women and children,
though the identity has yet not established to each of them. About 50 passenger
were injured in the accident, 24 of whom are being treated at hospitals nearby.
Chief
Minister Nitish Kumar said that 37 persons, including women and children, were
killed. Among them were 13 women, four children and 20 men. The victims hailed
from Khagaria, Saharsa, Munger and Naughachia. Twenty four others, who
sustained injuries, were admitted to the hospital here.
Soon
after the incident at 8.40 am, a violent mob assaulted the train driver, set on
fire an AC compartment and engine of another train, vandalised the station and
even held a few rail staff hostage. The two drivers of the express train,
Rajaram Paswan and Sushil Kumar Suman, fled from the spot after being attacked.
They later contacted railway officials to informing them that they were safe,
ECR CPRO Amitabh Prabhakar said.
Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and the Chief Minister appealed for calm.
Most
shocking of the entire episode come to light when media, medical team and other
administratitve agency reacted to the accident. There is no road in the 3
Kilometer radius to this countryside. Rail line is the only lifeline. This
scenario delayed the help. Moreover when a special medical help train were
sent, the angry mob did not allow it to reach near the site and scared of
getting vandalised the team of doctors had to wait for an hour untill security
forces took the situation under control.
Railway
Board Chairman Arunendra Kumar said the express was not supposed to halt at
Dhamara Ghat and was given clearance to pass through, but the pilgrims on the
tracks thought they could stop the train. "It's not just surprising, it's
shocking, no body are supposed to do that", he said. Though the driver
applied the emergency brakes, it was too late by then, he said, adding an
internal inquiry has been ordered into the accident. The pilgrims were going to
nearby Katyani Sthan temple to offer ‘jalabhishek’ to Lord Shiva on the fourth
and final Monday of the holy month of Shrawan.
Superintendent
of Police S K Jha said the engine of the Samastipur-Saharsa passenger train and
an AC coach of Saharsa-Patna Rajyarani Express were set on fire by enraged
local people.
Minister
of state for Railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said the express train was
travelling at a speed of 80 km per hour when the accident occurred.
He
said although relief trains carrying doctors and nurses were sent from Saharsha
and Barauni, they could not reach the spot as the law and order situation there
was not conducive because of protests by angry people.
The
Bihar Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for family of each
of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured. Chief Minister
himself ruled out lapses by the state administration. Railway minister
Malliarjun Kharge expressed concern for the deceased family.
Compensation announced
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Bihar CM Nitish Kumar has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs to the family
of each of the deceased. He also urged Railway Minister Malliarjun Kharge to
provide the maximum compensation to victims considering the fact that “this is
a rarest of the rare incidents”.
