Probe panel questions 15 rly staffers

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 5

The inquiry by Commissioner of Railway Safety, Northern Circle, SK Pathak entered its second day today. Fifteen staff members of the Railway Department, including loco-pilot, who drove the DMU train which mowed down people standing on the track on October 19, the gateman and the guard deputed then, were questioned.

It has been learnt that Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar, KS Sangha, and Police Commissioner SS Srivastava also visited the commission to discuss the issues related to the incident and also put forth preventive steps to avoid such mishaps.

On the other hand, a parallel probe to find the role of railway officials by Divisional Commissioner, Jalandhar, B Purusharth was deferred. Eight railway officials were expected to face the one-man commission today, but it could not be held.

Chief Public Relation Officer, Northern Railway, Deepak Kumar said the inquiry was still on and if needed, it could be extended.

“Today eight to nine persons got their statements registered. It is a comprehensive inquiry being conducted by the statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” he said.

When asked about the conclusion, he said, “It will be too premature to reach any conclusion. We have given open invitation to anyone who wanted to give input which could help in the inquiry which is being conducted in a fair manner. We have got the statements of security-related officials, Engineering Department officials, loco-pilot, guard and gateman too. Once this inquiry is completed, a copy will be submitted with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and another to the press bureau to let the public know about it,” he said.

Loco-pilot of the DMU Arvind Kumar and then gateman on duty at Joda Phatak Amit Kumar had already been examined twice separately, first by the Government Railways Police at the Beas police station, followed by the government commission under B Purusharth at Jalandhar recently.

Apart from this, eight more railway officials were expected to join the inquiry today, but it could not take place for unknown reasons.