Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday set a four-week deadline for the completion of enquiry by the Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner into the tragic train accident in Amritsar.
Within hours, the Punjab Home Department issued a notification directing Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar, Baldeo Purushartha, to conduct an enquiry into the Amritsar tragedy.
The enquiry has been authorised “to conduct a thorough probe into the unfortunate incident and to examine acts of omission and commission by an individual or agency, if any, and accordingly fix responsibility. The magisterial enquiry has also been asked “to suggest remedial measures to ensure that such unfortunate incident do not reoccur”.
Talking to reporters after reviewing the situation on the ground and meeting the injured in three hospitals, besides visiting the spot where the tragedy had occurred, Capt Amarinder said action will be taken against those responsible for the tragedy once the enquiry report comes. The probe will cover all aspects of the tragedy, he added.
At the same time, the Chief Minister urged all political parties to rise above petty politicking to join hands to mitigate the sufferings of the victims and their families.
Asked if there were any lapses on the part of the Railways, the Chief Minister said the probe will look into the matter, and will ascertain whether approvals for holding the function were given or not.
However, this was not the time to play political games on the issue, said the Chief Minister, calling upon all to join hands with the Government to provide relief to the victims.
The 3-member Crisis Management Group, headed by Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, will camp in Amritsar as long as they are needed to monitor and assist in the relief operations, said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister said he was at the airport, ready to leave for Tel Aviv, when he heard of the terrible tragedy and had to rush back after postponing his Israel visit when asked about the delay in visiting the site of tragedy.
Capt Amarinder announced that mourning will continue in Amritsar district till Monday and the national flag will fly at half mast and all educational institutions will remain closed in this period.
He later visited Amandeep Hospital, Civil Hospital Amritsar and Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, where he met the injured and directed the doctors to provide the best possible medical treatment. 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.
In another directive, Capt Amarinder asked Home Secretary NS Kalsi to prepare detailed guidelines for permission to hold religious and social congregations to prevent such tragedies.
The guidelines should clearly define the rules and regulations for holding such events or gatherings in any part of the State on any occasion, as per the directives issued by the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also asked the Home Secretary to issue an immediate advisory for sale and storage of crackers for the upcoming Diwali festival, to ensure strict adherence to the safety rules and guidelines for the same.
“While the culpability in the tragic incident would be fixed, it was imperative to ensure that such an incident is not repeated,” he said.
