Not CBI, 12 Opposition parties in Odisha demand SIT probe into Bahanaga train tragedy

Even as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the recent Bahanaga train accident that claimed 288 lives, the opposition parties on Wednesday staged a demonstration against the Centre’s decision to go for a CBI investigation.

Around 12 Opposition parties including CPI (M), RJD, Samajwadi Party, Aap and others submitted a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister. The memorandum contains a 10-point charter of demands including a reduction in working hours of loco pilot and assistant loco pilots.

The Opposition parties also demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

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CPM leader Janardan Pati said, “The Bahanaga train accident is now a black chapter in the history of Indian Railways. What will be the outcome of the CBI investigation as it involves technical aspects? Instead of handing over the probe to experts, Centre has handed over the probe to CBI.”

Pati further said safety and security aspects have been ignored due to privatisation of railways.

Also Read: Odisha train tragedy: Politics intensifies over missing persons and death toll

Odisha BJP general secretary, Prithviraj Harichandan, on the other hand, said, “During such a critical time, everybody should stand together. At present, everything is on the right track and the Congress should desist from politicising the matter.”

According to Harichandan, “Indian Railways is being upgraded with advanced technology and the PM has already said to focus on safety. The Indian Railways has already taken several safety-related steps in the last 5 years.”