2018 Amritsar train tragedy victims’ kin see a ray of hope for future

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 2

Over two years after the tragic incident when a DMU (diesel multiple unit) train had mowed down a crowd standing on the rail tracks near Jaura railway crossing Golden Avenue to watch the Dussehra festivities, a ray of hope has emerged for the victims’ families after the state Cabinet’s approval to offer jobs to the next of victims’ kin.

At least 59 people had lost their lives, with one still unidentified, and over 70 others were left injured in the incident occurred on October 19, 2018. Former Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s wife and ex-MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu was chief guest at the event, which was organised by a close aide of Sidhu and local leader, Mithu Madan.

An FIR was registered at police station GRP, Amritsar, against unidentified people. However, no arrests were made. Later, a departmental action was taken against two civic officials for negligence in performing their duties.

The Centre and state governments had given an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, yet the affected family members were not happy as this amount could hardly secure their future.

The state government’s assurance of job to the 34 eligible family members as per their qualification has brought some solace to them. A few cases were rejected on account of family disputes or non eligibility.

Deepak, who had lost his father Virender and uncle Pawan, believed that now the state government would not take long to absorb the affected families in government departments. “It’s already been quite late for the government to respond. I think, when the Cabinet has approved other formalities must not take more time before providing jobs ‘actually’. We were dejected lot after the indifferent attitude of Sidhu couple, who never lived up to their words of supporting the families, but now some ray of hope has emerged,” he said.

He told that 37 files were submitted with the Office of Deputy Commissioner and three cases were rejected.

Mukesh Kumar who lost his 19-year-old son was happy that now his daughter would take care of the family after getting the job. “I work as a labourer. My daughter who had completed +2 would now be family’s support,” he said.

Similarly, Joginder who work as a driver had lost his son in the tragedy, but was happy that his another son Sandeep Singh, who has completed his engineering, may get a job.

Sandeep said, “I have done civil engineering and was already searching for a job. It would be a great relief if I get the job as I share the responsibility of my two unmarried sisters.”