Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered the immediate release of Rs 3 crore to the District Collector for payment of ex gratia to the families of the deceased. He also immediately ordered a magisterial enquiry to look into the causes of such man-made massive mishap. The magistrate will submit the report within four weeks time.
Meanwhile, Punjab Police commandos and Rapid Action Force personnel have been deployed at the site of a train accident at Amritsar which claimed 60 lives yesterday evening. A heavy police deployment has been made to keep the situation under control.
The accident took place near Amritsar when a train ran through the crowd that had assembled across the tracks to watch the burning of the effigy of Ravana on Dussehra event.
At least 60 people were killed and 57 others injured on Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilt onto railway tracks while watching the burning of Ravana effigy was run over by a local train.
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The train was coming from Jalandhar when the accident occurred at Joda Phatak near Amritsar, where thousands of people were watching ‘Ravana Dahan’ at a ground adjacent to the tracks.
Expressing shock over tragic accident, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that Railways is conducting immediate relief and rescue operations.
He has cancelled his engagements in the US and immediately returning to India.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
PM Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind have expressed shock over the tragedy on rail tracks in Amritsar. The Prime Minister conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and prayed for the injured to recover quickly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed extreme sadness over the train accident in Amritsar and said that the tragedy is heart-wrenching. In a tweet, PM Modi said, he has asked officials to provide immediate assistance that is required.
In a tweet, President Kovind said, Indian Railways and local authorities are taking steps to help the affected people. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
