Bomb blast caused train derailment: Mamata

Jhargram (WB), May 28 (PTI) Indian Railway Minister
Mamata Banerjee Friday said a "bomb blast" triggered by
Maoists on the rail track caused the derailment of the
Howrah-Kurla express train and that TNT explosives and
Gelatine sticks were found at the accident site.
"It is a bomb blast case. After the blast, the train
derailed and the accident happened. According to information
given by Railway Police Force and officials TNT and Gelatine
sticks were found at the accident," Banerjee told reporters
shortly after visiting the spot. At least 65 persons were
killed and 200 injured in the derailment early Friday.
Banerjee, who rushed to spot from Kolkata, said that a
patrol engine had passed through the area half-an-hour
earlier, but the timing of the blast proved disastrous with a
portion of the line being blown away.
Asked specifically if Maoists were responsible, she said
that because of the 'bomb blast' the apprehension was that
they were behind it. "Let the rescue operations be over. After
that we will get a report." She however said the timing and
the manner in which the attack occured pointed to a Maoist
hand.
When asked about Railways running trains in
Maoist-affected areas, she replied, "should we stop running
trains? Railway is a lifeline. It has been made a soft target.
It should not be disturbed. We have restricted the speed of
trains running through Maoist areas at 45 kmph.
"It is very unfortunate that so many innocent lives
have been lost. We should not play games with innocent lives."
She said that the next of kin of each of the dead
would be paid Rs five lakh and injured Rs one lakh. The
Railways would also provide employment to a member of families
of each of those killed.
Stating that the Railways has already ordered a
high-powered probe, she said, "I will write a letter to the
Union Home minister for a separate investigation."
The Railways was running trains in coordination with
the state administration. "Law and order is a state subject.
State government and Home Ministry should look into it.
"Four medical teams were at the spot and rescue
operations by the Railways and Army was in full swing, she
said.
She claimed that personnel from all railway
departments had reached the accident immediately afterwards.
"I left at 2:00 am after being informed," she said.
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