Rail Accident - Charges against the CPI(M)

Sitaram Yechury, Member, Polit Bureau of CPI(M) 

has issued the following statement from New Delhi:

Instead of joining the collective efforts to provide relief and assistance to the victims of the recent ghastly rail accident in West Midnapore, sections of the pro-Trinamul Congress intellectuals in West Bengal have mounted an absurd and insidious charge against the CPI (M) and the Left Front Government that they conspired to cause this accident. This is reminiscent of Hitler and Nazi fascists setting the German Reichstag on fire and arresting Dimitrov, General Secretary of the Communist International on that charge. This was followed by a general witch-hunt against the Communists in Germany. 

What is more surprising is that the Union Railway Minister has virtually echoed similar charges against the CPI (M) and the Left Front Government in West Bengal. As the Railway Minister it is her basic duty, to be discharged under the oath of our Constitution that she took while assuming office, to inform the country about the Ministry’s preliminary observations on the cause of the accident. She has rather chosen to shield the actual culprits by suggesting that the Maoists may not be behind the sabotage. This is indeed strange that she is saying all this while continuing to demand a CBI enquiry when the State Government has already initiated a CID enquiry. 

The Union Railway Minister continues to maintain that there was a blast that led to the accident, while the Union Home Minister has denied that possibility. It is clear that the Union Railway Minister is seeking to cover up for the serious lapses of her leadership in the Railway Ministry and its failings in this tragic episode. During the five months of this year the number of major Railway accidents has been more than in any calendar year since 1980. 

It is indeed tragic that instead of joining the country in the wake of a national tragedy these elements are cynically using the situation to further their petty partisan interests. All this is being done in order to influence public opinion on the eve of the municipality elections in West Bengal. The politically conscious people of West Bengal will surely see through this conspiracy and give a fitting rebuff to these diabolical designs.

On Jammu Kashmir Incident

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its grave concern on the shocking incident of the killing of three Kashmiri youths by an army unit in Jammu & Kashmir in an alleged encounter. The Jammu & Kashmir police has registered a murder case against the concerned army unit. Appropriate legal action should be taken against all the perpetrators who were involved in this serious crime and violation of human rights.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of the families of the three Kashmiri youth who lost their precious life.

The government of India should take all necessary steps to stop the recurrence of such incidents.

Train Accident in West Bengal

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its shock and grief at the tragic loss of precious lives in the terrible train accident caused by sabotage by Maoists in the Jhargram area of West Midnapore district of West Bengal close to the Jharkhand border. It extends its deep condolences to the bereaved families and sympathy and concern for those who have suffered injuries. It strongly condemns this dastardly act by Maoists who have once again demonstrated their utter contempt for human lives.

This terrible tragedy has been compounded by the irresponsible absence of due diligence on the part of the railway authorities. In violation of their own declared policy to ensure specific safety measures in Maoist affected areas, in this case the pilot train which should have preceded the passenger train to check the safety of the track was not done. This perhaps could have averted this tragedy and saved the lives of passengers. Further, a goods train that collided with the derailed passenger train on the parallel track, resulting in graver damage of death and injury, could have been prevented. The persistent denial of the existence of Maoist activities in West Bengal by the Railway Minister may have led to the lack of preparedness of the authorities.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) demands that a thorough enquiry be conducted into this horrendous incident. The Prime Minister should personally intervene to ensure that the railways, in coordination with security agencies, fulfill their responsibility by stepping up precautionary safety measures to protect passengers and railway property in all Maoist affected areas.