Amarinder to take final call on Israel trip after monitoring Amritsar situation

Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, October 20

Even though the official advance team has already reached Tel Aviv, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh will take a final decision on his Israel trip after closely monitoring the situation in Amritsar.

Flying back to Delhi from Amritsar, the Chief Minister told the Tribune that he was keeping close tabs on the situation and would accordingly take the decision on the trip that was officially scheduled to commence on October 21. Captain Amarinder had last night postponed his scheduled departure to rush back from the airport in Delhi after receiving information about the train tragedy.

The Chief Minister had a tight schedule in Israel, where he was slated to meet the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, on October 23 as per the original agenda.

Hitting back at the opposition over allegations of reaching the mishap venue late, Capt Amarinder Singh said, "I was at the airport, ready to leave for Tel Aviv, when I heard of the rail mishap. Though I wanted to visit Amritsar last night itself, I was advised against it by the district authorities that did not want a VIP movement to divert attention from the urgent rescue and relief efforts needed at that hour."

Regarding the terms of reference of the magisterial probe, he said the Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner has been asked to look into all the lapses -- including lapses on the part of the railways, if any. The probe will cover all aspects of the tragedy, he added.

On being asked about any preliminary findings, he said, "I can not preempt what the inquiry will reveal. The government will act on the recommendations of the Commission. Let the Commission pinpoint the lapses and those responsible."