Scores killed as train hit derailed train

Raipur/Bilaspur, May 28, 2010: Scores of passengers were killed today and over hundred injured when a speedy express train derailed in West Bengal and subsequently hit by another train.

Maoists have carried out a blast on the track between Khemasoli and Sardiya stations under Midnapur district, because of which about 13 coaches of the Howrah-Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express derailed at about 1.30 AM today, Railway officials said.

Making the thing worse, after that incident, a goods train hit the derailed train, and in both the incidents scores of passengers were killed or injured.

Information reaching here said over 50 passengers were killed and at least 100 injured in that incident and the rescue work was under progress in full swing, Railway officials said.

Since the train had to pass through Chhattisgarh, the South East Central Railway has set up control room to provide information about the passengers.

To get information about the derailment of 2101 Express, people can contact the Helplines at Bilaspur and Raipur, Railways PRO Ratan Basak said.

The Helpline number at Bilaspur is 07752-417814 and for Raipur the number is 0771-2872326 or 09752877998, he said.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt and Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh have condemned the incident and expressed deep sorrow over the killing of scores of people.

The Chief Minister has expressed deep sorrow over the incident carried out by the Maoists and also taken to task the people, who advocated talks with the naxalites to bring peace in the country.

By targeting innocent and unarmed passengers, the Maoists have once again exposed their anti-people, anti-social, anti-national and anti-democratic face, which needed to be condemned by all, said the Chief Minister.

Officials also said the Chief Minister had asked the Railway and police authorities to increase vigil with in the territory of Chhattisgarh to check any untoward incident of the Maoists as they were observing a Black week from today.

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