Locals Stage Sit-In Protest at Train Accident Site in Amritsar, Punjab
Category: Transportation
Severity: 3 (Moderate)
Source: Drum Cussac
10/21/2018 (India) - According to local media reports on Sunday, 21 October, locals are carrying out a sit-in protest at Joda Patak in Amritsar in Punjab state at the site where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a passenger train on Saturday, 20 October. Police have said that locals, including family members of those killed on Saturday, are sitting on the railway tracks and refusing to leave. They are demanding that the state government take action against those responsible for the accident. An investigation has been launched as to whether mandatory permissions had been acquired to hold the function where the tragedy occurred. Punjab Police and The Rapid Action Force have deployed personnel to try and control the crowd. Clashes between protesters and security forces have been reported, with stones being thrown at police as they attempt to move the protesters from the site. There are unconfirmed reports that a youth, a police commando and a journalist have so far been injured in the skirmishes.
Members in Amritsar and the surrounding area are advised to avoid the area where the protest is taking place in order to minimise the risk of exposure to incidental violence and heavy-handed security response. Train services in the area are likely to continue to be disrupted due to the protest and ongoing investigation into the accident. Monitor local media for the latest updates on the situation.
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