Rain, chill no deterrent for Dasehra tragedy victims

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 13

Braving inclement weather conditions, victims of the Dasehra train tragedy and their relatives continued their protest in support of their demands here on Friday.

A delegation of the protesters on Friday met officials of the district administration regarding their demand for jobs on compassionate ground.

Deepak Kumar, a victim, said an official of the district administration left his office when they asked him about the person responsible for the tragedy. Deepak said the administration offered them forms to take part in employment fairs.

He added that they were promised government jobs by the Chief Minister and they had a proof of it. He said former Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu had offered jobs to 38 victims in the Fire Brigade Department. They have been sitting on a dharna on the Bhandari railway overbridge for the past two days.

DC meets officials of various departments to find solution

DC Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, along with ADC Himanshu Agarwal, on Friday held a meeting with officials of various departments, including skill development project officer, for providing jobs to the victims and family members of the deceased.

However, the DC clarified that there were no instructions from the state government to provide jobs on compassionate grounds. But, the district administration would make every possible effort in this regard considering the hardships being faced by the families.

On the occasion, officials of the employment office informed them about different self-employment opportunities. The DC also appealed to them to participate in job fairs.