West Midnapore: Both the Home Ministry and the West Bengal police have blamed the Maoists for the train disaster in Midnapore. The Maoists have denied any role in the tragic incident, however, indications are that rogue elements of either the Maoists or the People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) sabotaged the rail lines causing the Gyaneshwari Express to derail.
The police say, PCPA leader Bapi Mahato led the sabotage of the rail lines in West Midnapore along with another PCPA leader Umakanto Mahato.
Bapi first admitted to Indian Express newspaper that the plan was to derail a goods train, derailing Gyaneshwari was a mistake and he was sorry for it. Later he denied any responsibility.
Guiemara Lalgeria panchayat area of West Bengal is the territory of Bapi Mahato. Now, his name has surfaced and his involvement is being suspected in the derailment of the Gyaneshwari Express. The road that leads to the nearby Romroma forest is blocked, a clear warning to outsiders not to venture beyond a point.
While Bapi has gone underground, the PCPA has denied he was its member.
"Bapi Mahato is a local leader of his area but he is not a member of the PCPA. He's neither in our State Committee nor in our Central Committee. Bhupinder Singh is saying this disaster was the handiwork of PCPA but he will have to prove it. Where is the proof that he is a member of our Committee," said Ashit Mahato, PCPA Spokesman.
The Maoists, too, have distanced themselves from the disaster.
"We never do such incidents because we fight for the Aam Janta, some people have done it and are blaming us. if we do
ghatana we accept our mistake," said Sunil, CPI-Maoist Spokesman.
A senior member of the CPI-Maoist has been quoted saying if any of his party workers were behind the derailment, they would be punished. Sources say that may even mean execution of rogue elements. No wonder Bapi Mahato and Umakanto Mahato have gone completely underground.