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Govt investigates sabotage behind Sirajganj train accident


Published : 17 Nov 2019 01:45 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 11:53 AM

The government is investigating whether the incidents of train derailment at Brahmanbaria and catching fire in train bogies in Sirajganj were mere accidents or sabotage. 

The two recent train accidents at Kasba in Brahmanbaria and Ullapara in Sirajganj, are not similar in nature.  The government is investigating the Ullapara train accident as it has raised question how the train bogies caught fire when the signal was clear in the only one meter gauge line in Ullapara.

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan while visiting the place of incident at Sirajganj on Friday evening said, “In the past, terrorists set fire on the trains, from that experience, we cannot say it’s only a normal accident.” 

“During the period of 2013-14, incidents of setting fire on trains took place in different areas in this region. The government is investigating whether there is any such sabotage behind the accident of the Rangpur Express,” he said.

The railways minister said the train accident at Kasba in Brahmanbaria might occur due to fog or other reasons.

But in the Sirajganj incident, there was no possibility of derailment, as there was no crossing or stoppage there, he said adding that there was a single meter-gauge rail line and only meter-gauge trains run on the line.

Sujan said probes are also underway to find out whether there was any negligence in giving clearance to the train to proceed. He said fire might catch the train engine from its oil but how other compartments caught fire will be investigated. About two risky railway bridges and rail lines at Ullapara, the minister said the bridges would be repaired within the quickest possible time.

He said a project has already been approved to construct a double railway line from Joydebpur to Ishwardi. Railways Secretary Md Mofazzel Hossain, Additional Secretary Muhammad Ziaur Rahman, Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Dr Faruk Ahmed, Additional Deputy Commissioner Firoj Mahmud, Upazila Chairman Shafiqul Islam Shafi, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Arifuzzaman and municipality mayor SM Nazrul Islam, were present on the occasion.

Read more: A tragic train crash