Amritsar MLA Navjot Singh Sidhu 'Adopts Families of Those Killed in Train Tragedy'
Sidhu said he would be taking care of the bereaved families till his death, further claiming that he would ensure that at least one member of the household gets a job.
Amritsar, October 22: Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is also the legislator from Amritsar (east), announced on Monday that he would be adopting the families of 61 people mowed to death by a speeding train near Jaura Phatak on Saturday.
Sidhu said he would be taking care of the bereaved families till his death, further claiming that he would ensure that at least one member of the household gets a job. Dussehra Event Organiser Saurabh Madan Mithu Releases Video, Claims 'Asked People 10 Times Not To Stand On Railway Tracks'.
Punjab Congress president Sunil Jakhar, who accompanied Sidhu at the press conference, said the party would be not be deserting the victims. "We will provide them all possible assistance," he added.
Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each deceased, whereas, the Centre would be disbursing Rs 2.5 lakh to the bereaved families.
The Punjab government has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the fatal incident. The probe report would be submitted within four weeks.
The Indian Railways, meanwhile, has ruled out an inquiry into the incident, attributing the tragedy to the tresspassing of Dussehra revellers. The driver of the Jalandhar-bound DMU train has been given a clean chit. Railway Board chairman Ashwani Lohani said he could not be blamed as "he was given a green signal".
Sidhu has questioned the Centre over the lack of questions raised against the Railway. "How come the driver and station guards could not spot such a large gathering assembled at the tracks," he questioned.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2018 05:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).