Srinagar, Apr 30: The Northern Railways has indicted its two officials for negligence in the incident of train plying without a driver in south Kashmir 2-weeks ago, sources told Greater Kashmir on Saturday.
 They said the 2-man inquiry team has held the station master and traffic porter responsible for negligence on their part for train plying from Qazigund to Awantipora.
 They said that inquiry conducted by Chief Area Manager Kashmir Opinder Singh and Senior Divisional Mechanical Manager have found that chain was not locked on the evening of April 16.
 Pertinently, following the incident Railways had ordered an inquiry and suspended its five employees. Train after covering a distance of 34 kilometres and traveling via stations Panzagam, Bijbehara, Islamabad (Anantnag) and Sadura, had halted abruptly near Awantipora station due to a steep gradient.
 The inquiry report states that the train started at 1:41 am and left Qazigund station at 1:43 am, however it fails to establish how it rolled down. “Had the chain been tied, then there was no chance of the train starting,” the enquiry reveals.
 “Both the officials have been held responsible for lapses on their part. They would be charge- sheeted and would be provided ample chance to defend themselves,” Divisional Railway Manager Ferozpur Division Vishesh Choubey told Greater Kashmir.
 Meanwhile, the police are also waiting for the internal inquiry report of the Railways to conclude its investigation. “We have recorded the statements of a few persons and have also got the technical viewpoint. We will also look into their report,” Senior Superintendent of Police Railways Showkat Malik said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 May 2011 00:00:00 IST