Kolkata: Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee today alleged there was a "political conspiracy" behind the Gyaneshwari Express derailment without blaming Maoists for the disaster and demanded a CBI probe.
As Banerjee and arch rival CPI-M indulged in a blame game, the train's driver B K Das filed a FIR with the Government Railway Police(GRP) unit in Jhargram in which he referred to an explosion on the track when the Howrah-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express derailed in West Midnapore district, about 150 kms from Kolkata at around 1:30 am. (
Read: No mention of Maoists in FIR filed by Railways)
The FIR was filed against "unidentified miscreants" under sections 150 (maliciously wrecking or attempting to wreck a train) and 151 (damage to or destruction of certain railway properties)of the Railway Act but made no mention of Maoists.
Additional Director General Government Railway Police (GRP) Dilip Mitra said the FIR appeared to be not adequate. GRP comes under the jurisdiction of States.
"It is the duty of the West Bengal administration to find out who is responsible," Banerjee told reporters in Kolkata in remarks suggesting that Maoists, who have been blamed for the disaster in their heartland, cannot be held responsible until investigations are completed.
"From the Railway we have requested Union Home Ministry for a CBI investigation into the incident since it was in jangalmahal where joint operation is on. We have already sent a letter and the Centre has agreed to order it," she said.
Banerjee said she did not know who were behind it, but "whoever did it, it was a political conspiracy. The accident has happened two days before the (civic) election. One may be politically against us, but I feel bad that the way the incident was engineered to fulfil one's political interest.
"Those who have done this sabotage and played with so many lives should not be pardoned," she said.
CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury rejected as unfortunate and absurd Mamata's claims pointing fingers at the Left party. The claim was being done with tomorrow's civic elections in mind, Yechury said, adding Banerjee is trying to cover up her "serious lapses."
Apparently referring to the police report that fish plates were removed, Banerjee said, "I do not know from where this story has come. The railway lines there were long-welded railway lines which have no fish plates. She also said three express trains had passed through the derailment spot before the disaster at around 1.30 am yesterday.
With the recovery of more bodies from the mangled coaches today, the death toll rose to 120, South Eastern Railway sources said. Several bodies were yet to be identified. The number of injured has been put at 250 by officials. (
Read: Death toll rises to 120)