Job assurance a ray of hope for Amritsar train tragedy victims’ kin

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 2

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

At least 59 persons had lost their lives in the incident that occurred on October 19, 2018.

An FIR was registered against unidentified people. However, no arrests were made. Lately, a departmental action was taken against two civic officials for negligence.

The Centre and the state had given an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, respectively, but the affected family members had alleged that the amount could hardly secure their future. Jobs have been assured to 34 eligible family members.

Deepak, who had lost his father Virender and uncle Pawan, said, “The government responded quite late. Now, with the Cabinet approval, other formalities should not take time.” Mukesh Kumar, who lost his son, was happy that his daughter Nancy would be able to take care of the family after getting a job.