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Godhra carnage: Laloo to bring out `factual position'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JUNE 8. The Railway Minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, said today that he was studying the Godhra train carnage file to bring the truth out and would place before the nation the "factual position" about the incident.

"I will bring the factual position about the carnage; who were the people travelling in the ill-fated Coach S-6 of the train; whether kar sewaks were in the compartment; and whether the coach was burned from outside or inside" was his response when asked by a reporter about the Government's stand on the carnage.

"We are studying the Godhra file. We are also consulting legal experts on the train tragedy. We hope to reach on some conclusions within a couple of weeks" and would bring the "factual position" about the carnage before the nation, he said adding that it was the responsibility of the Railways to come out with the exact truth.

Asked why only 14 claimants had so far come forward so far to claim compensation in the carnage, Mr. Yadav said he would definitely look into the matter. "This aspect is also being studied".

In respondent to another question whether the Godhra carnage was linked with the riots in Gujarat, he said, "Suspicion is there. They (BJP) can do any thing for power. They had put the entire blame for riots on the ISI".

Khadi for railways

Mr. Yadav's newfound penchant for small-scale and village industries has turned the spotlight on `khadi' so far as railway operations are concerned. After introducing `kulhards' (earthen pots) for serving tea at railway stations and trains and promising to make indigenous beverage `mathakola' (butter milk) to commuters, Mr. Prasad has ordered the use of khadi clothes by the Indian Railways with immediate effect.

According to orders issued by Mr. Prasad, khadi clothes will henceforth be used in bedrolls, curtains and other furnishing items on the Indian Railways.

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