Oppn guns for Congress

Amritsar, October 19

The Opposition has accused the state government for lapses in allowing Dasehra celebrations near railway tracks. The Congress also drew flak over allegations that minister Navjot Sidhu's wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu left the site soon after the incident.

Navjot Kaur, who was the chief guest at the event, later talked to media at a hospital where injured were taken and said her priority was to ensure that they received proper treatment.

"The effigy of Ravana was burnt and I had just left the site when the incident happened. Now, the priority should be to get the injured treated," she said.

She also asked people to refrain from politicising the issue.

Union minister and Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the entire onus was on the state government. "Words are not enough to mourn the Amritsar train tragedy that claimed so many innocent lives. My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. The incident needs to be probed as it raises a serious question mark on the administration," she tweeted.

BJP leader and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the initial reports suggested it was a tragedy that could have been avoided.

Akali leader Bikram Majithia said he was distressed to hear the unfortunate news of the train accident. "The authorities concerned must be held accountable for the ill-fated accident and strict action must be taken against the guilty police officers and organisers," he said.

Some Opposition leaders also alleged that the Dasehra event was organised by the Congress near the tracks without obtaining any proper approval.

Former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal demanded an inquiry by a retired high court judge to fix the responsibility and punish the guilty.

His son and senior party leader Sukhbir Singh Badal said, "Local organisers and police must answer how the celebrations were allowed near the railway track," he said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, all major parties -- the BJP, the Congress and AAP -- said they had asked their local party workers to help in the relief and rescue operation. -- PTI