#AmritsarTrainTragedy: Most dead are daily wage laborers from UP, Bihar
What's the story
Most people who were mowed down by a speeding train in Amritsar during Dussehra celebrations yesterday evening were migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, an official said today.
The accident has claimed 59 lives so far out of which 39 bodies have been identified by the authorities.
Most migrant workers work in an industrial area near the accident site and live nearby.
Details
Dussehra celebration gathering had many UP, Bihar migrants: Official
The Dussehra celebration gathering yesterday evening had a good number of people who belonged to UP and Bihar and are earning their livelihood in Amritsar as the festival is celebrated with great devotion and pomp back in their hometowns, a senior official said.
The official, however, did not give the exact breakdown of numbers as 20 bodies were yet to be identified.
A laborer's ordeal
UP laborer injured after being pushed as people started running
Jagunandan, a 40-year-old wage laborer from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh who suffered injuries in the head and leg, said he was not standing near the tracks but was pushed as people started running away from the main stage after the Ravan effigy was set afire.
The father of four was brought to the hospital by a relative, who accompanied him to the event.
Information
District administration helping in sending deceased's bodies to their hometowns
The district administration is providing all possible help to the family members of deceased in sending bodies to their hometown, another official said. The Punjab government has announced compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.
Protests
People have been protesting over no security during Dussehra event
Since morning, a large number of people has been sitting on railway tracks at the accident site due to which train services have been suspended on this line.
Angry people are raising slogans against the state government, saying that it did nothing to ensure proper security arrangements for the event.
The Punjab government has ordered magisterial inquiry to ascertain the reason behind the accident.