Jhargram, May 28: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday suspected the involvement of Maoists in the derailment of the Gyaneshwari express today as the incident comes on the first day of the ‘black week’ being observed by the Naxals.
Banerjee, who rushed to spot from Kolkata, said that a patrol engine had passed through the area, but the timing of the blast proved disastrous with a portion of the line being blown away.
Twenty people were killed and 104 injured when Maoists blasted tracks, derailing the Mumbai-bound Gyaneswari express.
Asked specifically if Maoists were responsible, she said that because of the bomb blast the apprehension was that they were behind it. “Let the rescue operations be over. After that we will get a report.”
She condoled the loss of lives in the incident.
“It is very unfortunate that so many innocent lives have been lost. We should not play games with innocent lives,” she said.
She said that the next of kin of each of the dead would be paid Rs five lakh and injured Rs one lakh. The Railways would also provide employment to a member of families of each of those killed.
Asked specifically if Maoists were responsible, she said that because of the bomb blast the apprehension was that they were behind it. “Let the rescue operations be over. After that we will get a report.”
She condoled the loss of lives in the incident.
“It is very unfortunate that so many innocent lives have been lost. We should not play games with innocent lives,” she said.
She said that the next of kin of each of the dead would be paid Rs five lakh and injured Rs one lakh. The Railways would also provide employment to a member of families of each of those killed.
She claimed that personnel from all railway departments had reached the accident immediately afterwards.
“I left at 2:00 am after being informed,” she said.
–PTI