Cong holds candlelight march

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 22

In a show of empathy, senior Congress leadership, including state president Sunil Jakhar, MLA Inderbir Singh Bolaria, Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu and MLA Rajkumar Verka, took part in a candlelight march for the victims of the train accident at Joda Phatak. The march was taken out from New Amritsar to the Golden Gate at the entrance of the city limits.

Sunil Jakhar said those who died in the accident should always be remembered and every step would be taken to ensure that their families were taken care of.

Meanwhile, the kin of the victims called it another ‘political gimmick’. “Who is taking the responsibility of the accident? The government thinks that by giving us Rs 5 lakh, they will be relieved of their duty. The train driver has said in his statement that he did not halt the train as onlookers pelted stones on the train. This is false. Instead of giving us justice, such false claims have hurt our sentiments,” said Rikki, son of Narinder Singh, who was among the dead in the accident.

Politics in full swing

Political parties are trying to gain mileage out of the horrific train mishap. Even city residents are actively playing the blame game in accordance with their notions and political affiliations. SAD-BJP supporters are blaming the state government for ‘mismanagement’ while the Congress supporters are blaming the Railways for the mishap.