Magisterial probe report on Amritsar train tragedy submitted

Just a month after 60 people lost their lives when a train crushed them while watching Dusshera proceedings in Amritsar, the magisterial probe report on the tragedy was submitted to the Punjab government on Wednesday.

The 300-page report was submitted to Punjab's Principal Secretary-Home N.S. Kalsi by Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner B. Purushartha, who conducted the probe.

"I have completed the probe and submitted the report to the Principal Secretary-Home. I cannot disclose the contents of the report," Purushartha said on Wednesday.

He said that over 150 witnesses were examined before preparing the report on the tragedy in which about 60 people were also injured when the diesel multiple unit (DMU) train ran over the crowed that had gathered on the railway tracks near Joda Phatak in Amritsar on October 19 for watching the Ravan effigy being burnt.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur were also summoned by the one-man probe commission. However, Sidhu, who was present in Amritsar on November 2 when he was summoned there by the probe officer, failed to turn up before the inquiry commission but sent a written statement.

Sidhu's wife, Navjot Kaur, however, appeared before the commission and gave her statement regarding the train tragedy.

Navjot Kaur, a former legislator and ex-chief parliamentary secretary, was the chief guest at the Dussehra festival near Joda Phatak when the tragedy happened. Opposition leaders and locals alleged that Navjot Kaur fled the scene after the train mowed down the people.

There are allegations that the event was organised without getting mandatory permissions from the municipal corporation which falls under the local government department headed by Sidhu.

--IANS

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