Tragic Dussehra in Amritsar: Who is responsible for the deaths?

AMRITSAR:  The Dussehra celebration took a tragic turn and festivities spelt a pall of gloom over the city. The tragedy took place in nearby area of Joda fatak where two trains coming from opposite direction mowed down over than hundred who were watching the Ravan’s effigy burning. More than sixty people have died and caused injuries to 70 plus people as the last report came in. The condition of the injured are reported to be critical.

The crowd had in big numbers assembled to witness the Dussehra festivities.  At the time of effigy burning, the organisers reportedly asked the people to move back which led to a large number of people moved towards the railway track. The Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU was travelling fast and was crossing the spot and hundreds came under the train.

As per the reports, the event was organised by the local councillor without any permission from the higher authorities where the former MLA and the wife of Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Siddhu, Navjot Kaur was invited as the chief guest.

A local visitor and also the eyewitness said that the area is not appropriate and there is not enough space for these kinds of events. It is to be mentioned that the organisers of the event have gone missing and authorities are still looking for them.

Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of Punjab held an emergency meeting to assess the situation and took stock of the situation. He said “When a tragedy occurs, the entire administration gets involved. Today the entire cabinet of Punjab is here to review the accident”. On the other side, the officials of the Railways said, there is no fault of Railways as the signal was green at the time of accident.