The Centre is mulling handing over the investigation into the suspected “sabotage” of the Howrah-Kurla-Jnaneswari Express train in West Midnapore district in West Bengal by Maoists’ groups from the state police to a Central agency.
“It is a Maoist-dominated area so we suspect the involvement of Maoist groups. Our prime concern is to find out how the sabotage happened. A decision on handing over the investigation to a Central agency will be taken soon,” a top government official said.
Home Ministry officials confessed that the incident comes days after the Maoists had threatened to strike. Ministry officials however ruled out sending additional Central forces to the area. “We cannot send Central forces to secure thousands of kilometres of railway tracks,” an official maintained. The home ministry on Friday said that it appears to be a case of sabotage where a portion of the railway track was removed.
Despite the Maoist-backed People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCPA) claiming responsibility for the derailment of the express train, home ministry officials insisted that the “sabotage” needs to be investigated by a Central agency.
When asked whether the incident took place due to the connivance of some local people or certain officials with the Maoists, a home ministry official said, “All aspects need to be investigated.”
Home minister P. Chidambaram is facing the heat from the increasing Maoists attacks and Friday’s incident has only highlighted the gravity of the situation.
Ministry official said that there is no evidence so far to suggest the usage of explosives. orensic examination of the site is being carried out and more details will come after that, an official said. Meanwhile, helicopters were pressed into service to rush the injured to hospitals for treatment.
Four teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed to assist in the rescue and relief operations. “A total of 132 personnel with necessary equipment have reached the site of the tragedy and are assisting the State Government and Railway authorities,” the home ministry said.