Rlys become a `soft target' for Naxals
Mahendra Kumar Singh, TNN, Jul 30, 2010, 10.40pm IST
NEW DELHI: The railways is clearly under siege from Naxals. The drastic increase in train accidents due to sabotage by Maoists has led to as many as 150 civilian casualties till June. While another 165 people have been injured. It has also cost the PSU around Rs 25 crore due to loss of property.
Record reveal that there have been eight accidents in the first six months of this year alone due to sabotage as compared to six in 2009 and 2008 and four in 2007.
Though six accidents due to sabotage were reported last year, the loss was much less as compared to this year. In 2009, only 2 persons were killed, 24 injured and around Rs 10.4 crore was lost due to damage to rail property. Similarly in 2008, there was no casualty, and the loss was only pegged at Rs 2.4 crore.
This year, the sabotage-induced accidents -- that occurred mostly in Maoist strongholds in East-Central, South-Eastern and East Cost Zonal Railway -- forced the railways to pay an ex-gratia compensation to the tune of around Rs 32 crore to the victims.
While initial findings suggest the "sabotage" theory -- as railways suspect drugging of both the drivers of the Uttar Banga Express -- the official version ignores this angle in the July 19 accident when the Uttar Banga Express rammed into the Vananchal Express, killing 62 people.
"Railways has become a soft target for Naxals due to its vast network and expanse," minister of state for railways E Ahamed informed the Rajya Sabha.
"The security scenario in the country has changed drastically in the recent past. There has been a rise in Maoist attacks on critical infrastructure of railways," the minister said in a written reply.
Parliament was informed that the derailment of the Mumbai-bound Gyaneshwari Expre
Saturday, July 31, 2010
3:47 PM
c.sunish
By Sunish
No comments
Related Posts:
Press ReportsMotormen call off strike, Mumbai trains limp back to normalcySubmitted by admin2 on Tue, 05/04/2010 - 19:40 New Delhi, May 4, 2010 Suburban train services in Mumbai limped back to normalcy this evening after motormen of both… Read More
Left Leaders supported the cause of Loco Running Staff in Parliament-Press NewsUproar in Lok Sabha over motormen's strikeAarti Dhar Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted on Tuesday over the ongoing strike by the motormen of Mumbai's suburban railways with two members almost coming to blows over the is… Read More
Bombay Motorman and Loco Running Staff Protest-Press News'We will protest till our demands are met'May 04, 2010 13:25 ISTMore than 1,000 motormen from Mumbai's Central and Western Railway, which form the backbone of the city's commuters, have been on a hunger strike for the past 30… Read More
Press Statement by L MonyPRESS RELEASE TRAIN DRIVERS OBSERVE FAST ON 3RD AND 4TH MAY 2010, NATION WIDE:- Urging to full- fill the assurances given to Loco Running Staff at various stage of agitation, the entire Loco Running Staff of Indian… Read More
Bombay StrikeMotormen call off strike Mumbai's 70 lakh commuters heaved a sigh of relief, as motormen called off their hunger strike on Tuesday evening after Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil assured them that their demands would be pl… Read More
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment