Bihar train tragedy: BJP demands probe

New Delhi, Aug 19: The

on Monday termed the

in Saharsa that claimed 37 lives as unfortunate and demanded a serious probe to find out those responsible for it.

"Thirty-seven people have died in a train accident in Saharsa. Twenty five of them are women and children. We offer our condolences and condemn the unfortunate accident.

But there are some serious questions that need to be asked," Deputy Leader of BJP in Rajya Sabha Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters. He dismissed the Railways contention that it was not informed by the local administration about a fair that takes place on Mondays during this month in the area and this had led to large number of people walking on the tracks.

Demanding a statement from the Railway Minister, Prasad said it is shameful that the Railways is trying to pass all the blame on the local administration. He said the Railways has its own network and should have known about the fair.

"Adequate compensation should be given to the kin of those killed and proper treatment should provided to the injured," Prasad said. The main opposition demanded that a serious probe be conducted into the accident and the officials guilty of acting in such a "cavalier fashion" be punished.

PTI