Lalu says it is terror attack on train; announces ex-gratia

Diwana, Haryana, Feb 19 (UNI) Railway Minister Lalu Prasad today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs five lakh each for those seriously injured in the ''dastardly terror attack'' on the Samjhuata Express.

Confirming 65 deaths in the attack, mostly Pakistani nationals, Mr Prasad said ''the attack was intended to tarnish the image of Indian Railways, disrupt the cordial relations between India and Pakistan and throw a spanner in the talks to be held between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.'' Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri is scheduled to visit New Delhi tomorrow for talks with his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee.

Mr Prasad, who rushed to the site of the accident from Patna, said ''the involvement of terrorists in the train blaze cannot be ruled out. Forensic teams are conducting investigations. Once we get the report, we can tell with certainty the acutual cause behind the accident.'' He said the bodies would not be disposed off till they were identified. ''We will try to identify the dead through their passports. The bodies are being kept in the morgue for their identification.'' The minister said of the 65 dead, two were RPF personnel who were escoting the train. ''RPF personnel have been escorting Samjhauta Express because the goverments of Punjab and Haryana are still undecided as to which state will provide security to this train.'' Mr Prasad, who was accompanied by his deputy R. Velu, Railway Board Chairman J P Batra and other senior officials, expressed indignation over the functioning of intelligence agencies.

''We never get any specific information about an impending attack. Only vague information is given, which is of little help,'' he said.

Mr Prasad also pointed out that the Railways had to encounter a lot of difficulties in conducting security drill at stations. ''I have suggested that only bona fide passengers should be allowed to enter platforms, but there are some difficulties in implementing this proposal.'' The minister said he would soon hold a high-level meeting to upgrade security arrangements at stations. ''I have already talked to the Union Home Minister in this regard,'' he added.

The minister, however, praised villagers for their help in relief and rescue operations and said they would be given commendation letters.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Director-General of Police (DGP) said the attack on Samjhauta Express was a ''case of well-planned conspiracy.'' UNI