Amritsar train mishap: Police permission granted for Dussehra event

Amritsar Police Commissioner SS Shrivastava on Sunday confirmed that the police permission was granted for organising Dussehra event at Dhobi Ghat ground, where the unfortunate train accident took place that killed as many as 59 people in Amritsar.

"There is a certain procedure and as per the process, permission was sought from many different places and we gave it for events at 20 places, including for event at Dhobi Ghat. The Police gave conditional permissions for events at 20 places including Dhobi Ghat area," he said.

Shrivastava, however, said that the permission was limited to a certain area and any violation of the same would be clear after the probe.

"We gave permission for a certain event in a certain area. Now, obviously, there is no permission to be on the tracks or anything. This was a conditional permission which was given only for the Dhobi Ghat area. Further, if there is any violation in this regard it will be inquired upon. Lapses are under inquiry. We had security for the whole city including the main venue and the function venue. We are examining. An enquiry is on. So whatever comes out of that, we will take follow-up on the same," he added.

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