Commenting on the derailment of the Doon Express near Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday insinuated that it was an act of sabotage. “Since the accident has taken place during a countrywide bandh, we want a thorough probe. Who has caused this mishap? It has to be seen whether this is truly an accident or an incident,” she said at the Writers’ Buildings.
Ms Banerjee was railway minister when the Gyaneswari Express tragedy had taken place in 2010 in which over 140 passengers were killed. “We have also seen this during the Gyaneswari Express accident. I am shocked. But mere sympathy for the accident victims is not enough,” she said.
Echoing his party chief, railway minister Mukul Roy later said that sabotage could not be ruled out in the accident. Mr Roy, who left for the accident site, announced a compensation of `5 lakhs for the next of kin of those killed in the accident, `1 lakh for those with grievous injuries and `25,000 for those with simple injuries.
He also said that one member of the deceased person’s family may also get a job in the Railways.