Amritsar tragedy: SAD condoles loss of lives, demands probe

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has condemned the tragic train accident in Punjab's Amritsar during Dussehra celebrations, where 60 people have lost their lives while 51 others have sustained injuries.

SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal took to Twitter to question why local organisers and the Punjab police allowed celebrations to be held near the railway track, risking the lives of visitors.

"Extremely sad to hear the unfortunate death of innocent devotees watching Dussehra at Joda Gate in Amritsar by a speeding train. Local organisers and police must answer how the celebrations were allowed to be held near the railway track," the SAD chief tweeted.

Expressing grief over the unfortunate incident, Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the incident needs to be probed as it casts serious questions on the administration.

"There are not enough words to mourn the Amritsar train tragedy that claims so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The incident needs to be probed as it casts serious question on administration. #AmritsarTrainTragedy|" she tweeted.

Chief Ministers from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala also expressed grief over the incident.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who tweeted in Hindi said, "Sad to hear about the heart-wrenching incident took place during the Vijayadashami celebrations in Amritsar. Those who lost their lives, may their soul rest in peace. Those injured hope they get well soon."

"Very very sad to learn about the unfortunate rail incident in Amritsar during Dussehra festivities. I have no words to describe my shock and agony. My heart goes out to the family members of the victims. Pray that the injured persons recover very quickly," read a tweet from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister Office of Kerala tweeted, "CM Pinarayi Vijayan expressed grief over the tragedy in #Amritsar. CM offered condolences to the families and friends of the victims."

In the wake of the accident, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has spoken to Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra in order to provide more medical facilities, if needed.

Furthermore, Minister of State (MoS) for Railways Manoj Sinha, who visited the accident site, assured that the Railways is providing all assistance needed.

"Railway administration is at work to provide all kinds of help needed. It's not the time to do politics. Priority is to give the best medical aid to those who have been injured. Railway administration had no information about this event," he told reporters here.

The unfortunate incident took place after a train ran into people watching Dussehra celebrations near a train track in Amritsar's Choura Bazar on Friday.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh immediately ordered a probe into the incident and directed senior officials to rush to the accident spot, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the Amritsar train tragedy. He also announced a compensation of Rs 50,000 for the injured.