Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal met the families of the victims of the Amritsar train mishap on Saturday and offered condolences. He also demanded the arrest of the organisers of the Dussehra event.
“Magnitude of Amritsar tragedy shocking. 61 dead, 100 injured. Participated in last rites of victims and visited injured,” Badal wrote on Twitter.
“Families speaking in one voice – arrest the organisers of the Dussehra event for gross disregard to safety and rules. Hope the Punjab govt acts fast and does this imm(ediately),” he added.
Magnitude of Amritsar tragedy shocking. 61 dead,100 injured. Participated in last rites of victims & visited injured. Families speaking in one voice –arrest the organizers of the Dussehra event for gross disregard to safety & rules. Hope the Punjab govt acts fast & does this imm. pic.twitter.com/1Jbj4TLP1c
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) October 20, 2018
Speaking at a press conference, Badal lashed out at the Congress government in the state over the investigation into the accident that happened on Friday night at Joda Phatak in Amritsar.
“The present government is taking the accident lightly as CM is saying that inquiry report will come after 4 weeks,” Badal said referring to Amarinder Singh’s decision of setting up an inquiry by Divisional Commissioner Jalandhar into the incident.
“FIR should be registered on the statements of the victims. Inquiry should be done by independent agency,” Badal was quoted as saying by ANI.
Earlier today, CM Amarinder Singh visited three hospitals and met the injured. He directed the doctors to provide the best possible medical treatment to the victims of the tragedy.
At a press conference, the CM said action will be taken against those responsible for the tragedy once the inquiry report comes. The probe will cover all aspects of the tragedy, he added.
Asked if there were any lapses on the part of the railways, Amarinder said the probe will look into the matter, and will ascertain whether approvals for holding the function were given or not.
Singh said that the number of dead in the mishap was 59 and those injured stood at 57.
He also ordered an immediate release of Rs 3 crore to DC Amritsar for ex gratia payment to the families of the deceased.
Read More: Amarinder Singh meets injured at hospitals, defends Sidhu
The state government has already announced free treatment for the injured at all government and private hospitals in the district, besides Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the families of those killed in the accident that took place during Dussehra celebrations.