'Human interference' in Odisha train accident: Former chief justices, IAS officers' letter to PM Modi
Former judges, IAS, IPS, IFS officers and others have written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that the Odisha train accident which killed 275 people and injured another 1,175 was caused by deliberate human interference, in a clear case of sabotage at the behest of terrorist outfits.
PremiumFormer chief justices, IAS, IPS, IFS officers and others have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pointing at “deliberate human interference" in the Odisha train accident which claimed the lives of 275 people and injured another 1,175. Noting that they are “greatly disturbed" by the Balasore tragedy, they said it was a clear case of sabotage at the “behest of terrorist outfits".
In the letter to PM Narendra Modi, the signatories said, “We are increasingly concerned at the forces at work, increasingly active, doing all they can to undermine our national security and progress. We are greatly disturbed by the tragedy that has taken place in Balasore, Orissa involving our rapidly growing and modernising Railways.
“Although [the] investigation is still underway, as per initial media reports, there are reasons to suspect that the cause of the derailment could be deliberate human interference, a clear case of sabotage at the behest of terrorist outfits," the letter further read.
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It mentioned, “Some of us who have worked in counter-insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East have faced such situations of sabotage on the smooth plying of railway network. There were similar well-planned attempts by terrorists to disrupt railway networks in these vulnerable areas, leading to sabotage, derailment and civilian casualties."
Suggesting “proper deployments" to stop the incidents, the signatories said, “In one of the many cases, J&K witnessed multiple attacks on railway lines from Pathankot to Jammu in 1990s and early 2000s where the tracks were severely damaged. Catastrophic accidents stopped only after proper deployment was made."
“Our view is that our entire Railway network is vulnerable and is particularly so in Eastern and northeastern states, including the so-called ‘Chicken’s Neck’," it said, adding, “It is imperative that illegal squatters, along railway tracks, including illegal immigrants be removed and stringent measures be taken to secure the safety of our railway tracks."
Expressing their confidence in the investigation team, the signatories pledged their support to “safeguard our territorial integrity and our national security."
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