Jhargram, West Bengal: In the deadliest Maoist strike on railway, at least 75 people were killed and more than 200 injured when a Mumbai-bound express train derailed and a goods train rammed into it in West Midnapore district of India's West Bengal state Friday.
“We have recovered 75 bodies so far. We fear many bodies are still inside. The can go up but it is difficult to give numbers till all bodies are extricated,” West Midnapore district magistrate Narayan Swarup Nigam told IBNS.
Soon after the derailment of Howrah-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Jnaneswari Super Deluxe Express caused by either removal of Pendroll Clips of the track or an explosion as claimed by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, a goods train rammed into the derailed train on the parallel track in which it fell.
Thirteen bogies of the train derailed around 1.30 am when the express was running between Khemasoli and Sardiya stations.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee said a huge blast on the track caused the accident though the Union Home Ministry confirming the sabotage said the explosion theory was yet not clear.
Police said the derailment could have been caused by removal of Pendroll clips or fish plates.
About 1.5 feet of railway track was missing and that is what led to the accident, some officials said.
“This is a Maoist handiwork. We have received posters left by them. People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA) [which is backed by the Maoists] took responsibility of the attack,” West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Bhupinder Singh told reporters at the accident spot.
However, PCPA leader Asit Mahato denied their involvement.
“We have nothing to do with the accident. Anyone can leave poster in our name,” he said.
The West Bengal DGP said the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) would investigate the incident and prima facie the derailment was caused by removal of Pendroll Clips.
“The railway driver said when the train was passing through pillar numbers 11 and 13 he heard an explosion and the train derailed,” said Singh, not ruling out explosion altogether. He, however, stressed on removal of the clips as the cause of the accident.
Earlier, Mamata Banerjee said “TNT and gelatin sticks were used and the strike was calculated.”
She said she has requested Union home minister P Chidambaram to have a probe conducted into the incident.
“It is a matter of shock. This area particularly is hit. Earlier the Rajdhani Express was also hijacked there,” said Mamata.
"We have not wasted a single minute since the incident. It was very difficult to cut the metal and bring out the people,” she said.
She said at least 108 injured were admitted in two hospitals of West Midnapore. Some of the injured were brought to Kolkata. Many of the injured were taken to hospital in helicopters.
Later some injured passengers were brought to Kolkata for treatment.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) pressed into service two MI-17 helicopters, one ALH and one Cheetah helicopter for relief and rescue operations for the victims.
Expressing grief, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said: “It appears to be a case of sabotage where a portion of the railway track was removed. Whether explosives were used is not yet clear.”
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya said that the authorities had no idea that the rebels may cause such damage on the 'Black Day' being observed by them.
"The Maoists observe such black and white days every alternate week," he said.
"We had no idea that they would trigger such an accident," he added.
All trains heading towards Howrah have been diverted.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured.
Mamata Banerjee announced Rs 5 lakh for the of kin of each of the dead and Rs 1 lakh for the injured.