KOLKATA: The West Bengal Government on Tuesday ordered a CID probe into the Sainthia rail accident. Additional Director General of Police (Railways) Dilip Mitra said that as the Government Railway Police (GRP) does not have sufficient infrastructure to inquire into the case, the state government has decided to hand over the case to the CID.
Mitra met the Chief Secretary Ardhendu Sen and Home Secretary Samar Ghosh and discussed with them in this regard.
According to GRP sources, the CID would examine the cause of the accident. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident occurred due to human or mechanical error. However, the sources ruled out possibility of any sabotage, which led to the accident. The CID will interrogate the guard of Uttar Banga Express and other railway employees.
At least 63 passengers were killed and 150 others injured, when the Uttar Banga Express rammed a stationary Vananchal Express at Sainthi station, in Birbhum district, nearly 190 km from here, hitting the three rear coaches of the train on Monday morning.
The driver and assistant driver of the Uttar Banga Express and the guard of the Vananchal Express were also killed in the accident.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Assembly witnessed a noisy scene when Speaker H A Halim allowed a RSP member to raise the Sainthia rail accident issue. RSP MLA Tapan Hore said the Railways was trying to wash its hands off Monday’s accident with the Railway Board Chairman holding the driver of the Uttarbanga Express responsible for the accident. Hore alleged that the Railway board Chairman was trying to save the Railways.
He said that Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Railway Board had not discharged their responsibilities. He demanded that the Union Railway Minister resign owning moral responsibility for the accident.
But the Trinamool Congress and Congress accused the Speaker of misusing the House for political purposes to criticise Mamata. They also staged a walk out from the House to protest against the decision of the Speaker.