Amritsar train mishap mass massacre: Sukhbir Singh Badal

Calling for a stringent action against the guilty, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday termed the Amritsar train mishap as a "mass massacre".

Sukhbir, who paid a visit to Amritsar's Joda Phatak area where the unfortunate incident took place, said that the negligence which led to the death of 59 people is "unpardonable".

"It is an unpardonable negligence. Strong action should be taken against the one responsible for this accident. It is a mass massacre," he said while talking to the reporters.

59 people lost their lives and 57 others were injured after a local passenger train ran over people watching Dussehra celebrations near Joda Phatak area in Choura Bazar on Friday evening.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh for the families of those killed in the train tragedy, along with Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased. He has also ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter.