10 Facts about Amritsar Tragedy

A tragic accident on the eve of Dussehra that claims more than 60 life’s (official) as they were standing on the tracks and train passed over them. When the crowd was enjoying the firecracker show or “Raavan Dahan”, Two trains with speed over 91 Km/h crosses and claims the lives of many peoples.

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Facts that you must know

    1. Nearly 5000 people were gathered around at Amritsar’s Dhobi Ghat Ground to celebrate Dussehra.

    2.       The ground is 1.5 Acre in length which is not suitable for such a large event.

    3.       Chief Guest Navjot Kaur Sidhu arrived at 6:15 pm although Event said to be as illegal.

    4.       25 Foot Ravana was set on fire at 6:50 Pm. Loud Firecracker and better view caused the crowd to step back.

    5.       The ground has a boundary (12 Foot) but for better view crowd gathered at railway tracks.

    6.       LED Screen was faced towards Railway Tracks that attracts more crowd around 400 people.

    7.       Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU crossed at the speed of 91 Km/h that left no chance for people standing on tracks. Firecrackers sound absorbed the sound of approaching train.

    8.       The event was not organised last year as they didn’t get the permission.

    9.       Gatekeeper (Linesman) at Railway Crossing (400m from the accident site) gave green signal to train unaware of the crowd at Railway Tracks.

   10.   Train Driver didn’t stop train after the accident because: -

i)                    At the speed of train i.e. 91km/h, it can cause a derailment of train claiming more lives.

ii)                   The crowd could have lynched the train driver or train passengers in anger.

The responsibility of people standing on tracks come first as this was their fault as they were standing on a live track which was functional and in use. Train Driver has no fault as he got the green signal from the nearby crossing and he can’t apply emergency brakes on 91km/h speed train as it may cause the derailment and caused more deaths.

The responsibility of the organisers as of why they put up a LED Screen facing railway tracks and they didn’t get the permission either. Police seen in the footage and they have taken the precaution to vacate the railway tracks. Still, amid all the allegations on Government or Railways or Organisers, The main culprit is people themselves.