The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety will probe the Amritsar tragedy in which 60 Dussehra revelers were mowed down by a passing train, the Indian Railways has said, nearly two weeks after it had ruled out an investigation into the tragedy.

A day after the accident on October 19, the Railways had termed it a "case of trespassing".

The probe will begin Sunday (November 4), according to a notification issued by the Northern Railway.

Through the notification, the railways has invited people who have information regarding the accident to depose before the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS), Sailesh Pathak, at the premises of the Railway Mechanical Workshop, Amritsar. It will continue till November 5.

Despite refusing a CRS probe earlier, in a statement Friday, the railways, however, said since the CCRS can conduct an inquiry even in those cases where it is not mandatory as per law and rules, it will do the same in this case as well.

It said the accident has "become a matter of great public discourse", especially raising concerns about the safety of people trespassing on railway tracks.

"Gurjeet Singh Aujla, MP from Amritsar, met Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal and personally handed over his letter dated October 23 and requested for an inquiry by Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) in this incident. The Ministry of Railways has considered this request and other facts, circumstances and legal provisions," the railways said.

It said according to law, it is not mandatory to conduct an inquiry by Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety in such cases, but it is not impermissible either.

Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety, Lucknow, has ordered a statutory inquiry into the circumstances that led to the accident, the railways said but added that prima facie the transporter does not appear to be responsible for the accident.

The Commission of Railway Safety, working under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, deals with matters pertaining to the safety of rail travel and train operation. It is charged with statutory functions as laid down in the Railways Act (1989), which are of an inspectorial, investigatory and advisory nature.

Sixty people were crushed to death by a train coming from Jalandhar on October 19, when they were watching an effigy of Ravana being burnt at a ground near railway tracks at Joda Phatak.

The railways had washed its hands off the matter, saying that it had not been intimated about the Dussehra event in advance and had pointed out that the spectators on the tracks were trespassers.

It had neither ordered a probe nor paid any compensation in the case. Days after the accident, the railway board and Manoj Sinha, the minister of state for railways, had termed the tragedy a case of trespassing.


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Punjab's Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday pointed out loopholes into the October 19 train accident while accusing the Indian Railways and the central government responsible for the tragedy.

Sidhu told ANI, "Why and how was the driver given a clean chit within six hours? Why has his name not been revealed as yet? The place where the incident took place belongs to the Centre, the tracks, railway engine, police and guards are also under the jurisdiction of the central government and it is the Centre which has lodged the FIR also."

 
His wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu, was a chief guest at the event where the incident took place. Clarifying his stance on the matter, he said: "Yes, she was the chief guest there. She had many events lined up on that day. This was the fourth one and she had to leave for another event following this. As soon as the effigy was burnt, she left. She was on her way to another event when she came to know about the incident and she wanted to return to the spot but the police commissioner asked her not to as the incident had already taken place. That is why she went to the hospital."

The minister accused the Indian Railways of negligence. He said, "One eyewitness told me that the light of the train was not working, if that is the case then how was the train allowed to go on track? If that is not the case then the light of the train gives a vision of three kilometers. More than 500 people were present there and were taking pictures, obviously there was light from their phones and an LED light was also there. How did no one see that? What was the guard doing?"

Sidhu also claimed that the Ravana effigy burning has been happening at that particular place for the past 50 years and 21 Ravanas were burnt in Punjab along the railway line. Further sharpening his attack, he said: "Ravana effigy is not installed in a few seconds. Why did no one raise an objection then? Out of the 21 places, I can tell you more than 18 would not have had permission. Does the Railways have no responsibility?"

"Loss of life is irreparable. I urge those doing politics over dead bodies to stop. No compensation can bring a lost life," said Sidhu.

The accident took place in Choura Bazar near Jhoda Phatak area of Amritsar after a train ran over the crowd, standing along railway tracks, to watch an effigy of Ravan being burnt. In the incident 59 people dead while 57 sustained injuries in the tragedy.

SIT TO BE FORMED

Amritsar Commissioner of Police SS Srivastava on Monday confirmed that Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the train accident which took place here on October 19. As many as 59 people were dead and 57 injured in the train tragedy.

 
Speaking to ANI, Srivastava said: "A case has been registered with the Railway Police in connection with the deaths. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) rank officer is monitoring the overall situation. SIT has been constituted to investigate. A separate magisterial inquiry is already underway."

A petition was filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court by a Gurugram-based lawyer seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry or formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the Amritsar train accident.

Petitioner Dinesh Kumar Dakoria has sought directions for court monitored probe, besides seeking a direction to set up a commission under retired or sitting justices of the High Court for assessment and estimation of personal losses for granting adequate compensation.


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The railway tracks are splattered red. Slippers and clothes lie scattered on the half-kilometre stretch at Jaura Phatak; As do human remains.

Locals scour this gory scene at 9 am on Saturday to identify missing loved ones.

Congress party flags, snacks and broken carts lie strewn around — an echo of the carnival atmosphere of Friday night.

 
The train tracks slice the posh Golden Avenue colony and the unauthorised Krishna Nagar in two, clean, distinctive halves.

The tragedy did not claim anyone from Golden Avenue; only those from Krishna Nagar fell prey to the calamity.

Most of the deceased are migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. A senior official from the district administration says they were mostly employed in the industrial area located a stone's throw away from the accident.

The air is thick with overwhelming grief — elders, women and children sit in groups either wailing for loved ones, or consoling neighbours. The men make arrangements to perform last rites. Mass funerals have been held all Saturday.

The local councillor and administration are wound up to counter mob rage that could erupt any moment. Police personnel and paramilitary forces have been deployed, and they outnumber locals at the scene.

 
The train mowed down people sitting on the tracks on Friday and the resultant stampede made the situation worse.

There was no authority to control the chaos; it was all up to the locals.

Jagunandan, a 40-year-old labourer from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh, said he was not standing near the tracks but was pushed as people started running after the Ravan effigy was set afire. His head and legs were injured.

Many of the victims were children. Radha Bhatt, a 32-year-old, is thanking divinity that she did not allow her children to go down to the festivities. "They (rescue workers) are gathering body parts. It was Satanic act," she says and bursts into tears.


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Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha Saturday ruled out any punitive action against the driver of the train that mowed down Dussehra revellers in Amritsar, saying there was no negligence on the part of the national transporter.

He also advised people not to organise such events near railway tracks in future.

The accident has claimed 59 lives so far out of which 39 bodies have been identified by the authorities.

The railways has maintained that it was not at fault because it had no intimation about the Dussehra event.

"The incident was not a railways' fault. There was no lapse on our part and no action against the driver will be initiated. People should refrain from organising such events near tracks in future. I think if precaution had been taken, the accident could have been averted," he said, adding wherever such events are held, the district administration concerned gives permission.

The minister said drivers are given specific instructions on where to slow down the train. "There was a curve. The driver couldn't have seen it. What should we order an inquiry about? Trains travel in speed only," said Sinha when he was asked if an inquiry would be ordered against the driver.

 
Asked about opposition attack on former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the Dussehra function, Sinha said nobody should do politics on this issue. "It is a tragic incident." Vivek Kumar, the Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozpur, said the driver has been questioned but no lapse could be found at his end. He said that while the train was travelling at a speed of 91 km/hr but after spotting the crowd on the track, it slowed down to 68 km/hr before the first impact.

"People were trespassing the railway lines when the incident took place. Due to darkness and sound of firecrackers, the people could not hear the sound of train. The driver did not see the crowd earlier as there was a curve. The driver tried to apply brakes and minimize the speed to the train running at 90 Km/hour but it takes time to stop the train," he said.

During the questioning, the driver also said that he had tried to stop the train but couldn't.

Earlier, Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Railway Board, had said the mishap occurred at a stretch between two stations -- Amritsar and Manawala -- and not at a level crossing.

"At midsections, trains run at their assigned speed and people are not expected to be on the tracks. At midsections, there is no railway staff posted. We have staff at level crossings whose job is to regulate traffic," he said, explaining why the railways was not alerted about the congregation by its staff.

He said the gate man was 400 metres away at a level crossing. He also said that if the driver had applied emergency brakes, there could have been a bigger tragedy.

 
The train was running at its assigned speed and initial reports suggest that the driver applied brakes and the train slowed down, he said.

"There was no information and no permission sought from us. The (Dussehra) event took place at a place adjoining the railway land in private property," he said.


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Questioned over the delay in reaching Amritsar after a train accident that killed 59 people, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that the state government is doing the best it can and the entire state cabinet is in the city.

Mr. Singh said he was in Delhi and was to leave for Tel Aviv, Israel when he heard of the accident. He added that did not reach Amritsar on Friday as the administration was involved with relief and rescue and a VIP visit would have affected the operation.

"I was on my way to Tel Aviv. Governor came here yesterday. Many ministers came. When a tragedy occurs the entire administration gets involved. They cannot come and welcome VIPs. We have come here as soon as we could come. Today, the entire cabinet of Punjab is here," Singh said during his visit to Amritsar.

At least 59 people were killed and 72 injured Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revelers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a train in Amritsar.

Singh said he has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragic accident and facts will come out in four weeks.

When asked to divulge details about the tragedy, he said he did not want to pre-judge and would wait for the inquiry to complete.

"We are ordering a magisterial inquiry into the incident under the police commissioner who will submit a report in 4 weeks," he said.

He also met the injured and kin of those killed in the tragic accident in the hospital.

While the administration had earlier said 61 people were killed, the chief minister put the death toll at 59.

59 people were killed and 57 injured in the accident, he said, adding except nine, most of the bodies have been identified. Earlier, Sub Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Sharma had said that 61 people, including women and children, have died and at least 72 injured have been admitted to hospitals.

Singh said compensation of Rs five lakh each for the families of the deceased had already been announced by the state government.

Besides, the government would bear the cost of medical treatments of the injured admitted to different hospitals, he told reporters.

After landing at the Amritsar airport, Singh reached the accident site. He met senior officials and members of the crisis management group and took stock of the relief work.

He was accompanied by Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Education Minister O P Soni, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, among others.

The incident took place on Friday evening when at least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana Dahan' at a ground adjacent to the tracks. As the effigy was lit and fireworks went off, a section of the crowd started retreating towards the tracks where a large number of people were already standing to watch the event, officials had said.

The train was coming from Jalandhar when the accident occurred at Joda Phatak near Amritsar.

A video of the tragic incident showed that several people were run over by a train when they were watching the burning of an effigy of demon king Ravana, as part of the Dussehra celebrations.

All offices and educational institutions will remain closed on Saturday in view of the tragedy.


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At least 60 people were killed and several others injured in Punjab's Amritsar on Friday after a train ran over the crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of Ravana effigy.

The accident took place at Joda Phatak near Choura Bazar in Amritsar when the train (DMU- 74943) ran into the crowd. The train was coming from Jalandhar to Amritsar where at least 300 people were present at a ground near the tracks.

"60 people are dead and 51 injured in Amritsar train accident," said Chief Medical Officer of Civil Hospital, Amritsar.

As the effigy was lit and the fireworks went off, a section of the crowd started retreating towards the tracks where a large number of people were already standing to watch the event, officials said.

However, two trains arrived from the opposite direction at the same time giving little opportunity to people to escape, they said.


Severed bodies, including of many children, were lying on the accident site hours after the incident with angry people not allowing authorities to remove them.

Amritsar train accident: Check helpline numbers here

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered an inquiry into the tragic train accident. The chief minister said a thorough probe will be conducted into the incident. Why an effigy was allowed to be burnt close to the railway tracks will also be investigated.

"The state will remain in mourning tomorrow in view of #Amritsar train mishap. All offices & educational institutions will remain closed," the chief minister tweeted.

#WATCH The moment when the DMU train 74943 stuck people watching Dussehra celebrations in Choura Bazar near #Amritsar (Source:Mobile footage-Unverified) pic.twitter.com/cmX0Tq2pFE

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2018

"Have set up Crisis Management Group under @BrahmMohindra to monitor relief & rehabilitation efforts in #Amritsar. Won't spare any efforts on part of govt to tackle the crisis," he said in another tweet.

The incident sent shock waves across the country. There was an outpouring of grief with President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoling the loss of lives. Modi directed officials to provide immediate assistance.

"Extremely saddened by the train accident in Amritsar. The tragedy is heart-wrenching," he tweeted.

Watch Video Here 👇 👇


"My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and I pray that the injured recover quickly. Have asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required," he said."Shocked to hear about the tragedy on rail tracks in Amritsar, Punjab. Understand Indian Railways and local authorities are taking steps to help affected people," Kovind said.

Amarinder Singh also announced compensation of Rs five lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the Amritsar train accident and said he was rushing to the spot to personally supervise rescue and relief operations.

"Rushing to Amritsar to personally supervise relief and rescue in tragic rail accident on Dussehra in Amritsar. My government will give Rs 5 lakh to kin of each deceased and free treatment to injured in government and private hospitals. District authorities have been mobilised on war footing," Singh tweeted.


Railway Minister Piyush Goyal expressed shock and said that he is returning back to India from the US.

"Shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic train incident that occurred in Amritsar. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. I pray for the injured to recover quickly. Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations," he said in a tweet.

"May God give strength to the bereaved and injured. Railways is proving all possible assistance at the site. I have cancelled all engagemnts in USA and immediately returning back to India," he said in another tweet.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that he is pained beyond words at the loss of precious lives due to a train tragedy during Dussehra festivities in Punjab. "My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and prayers with the injured," he tweeted.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi also said he was asking the state government and the party workers to provide immediate relief at the accident site.

"The train accident in Punjab in which over 50 people have died is shocking. My condolences to the families of those who have died. I pray that the injured make a speedy recovery," Gandhi said.

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