The Hindu : Front Page : Lalu announces probe into Godhra train carnage

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Thursday, Jul 15, 2004

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Front Page

Lalu announces probe into Godhra train carnage

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 14. The Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, today announced in Parliament that his Ministry had ordered a high-level departmental probe in the Sabarmati Express carnage of February 27, 2002, near Godhra in which 59 persons were burnt alive. The announcement came at the end of his reply to the discussion on the rail budget in the Lok Sabha. Pointing towards the empty Opposition benches, he said the "tainted'' campaign against him was an attempt to "save themselves."

Quoting a report by the Forensic Science Laboratory of Gujarat, Mr. Prasad said that conclusions drawn indicated that the inflammable liquid spread from inside the S-6 coach. The departmental probe would be completed within three months and assured that all those who acted irresponsibly would be made accountable.

He assured the House that he would not come under any pressure and suppress facts. Stating that even though the report was available for the last two years, the previous National Democratic Alliance Government had kept it under wraps. None of the Union Ministers visited the spot. With the Opposition having walked out as part of its on-going protest to "boycott tainted'' Ministers in the United Progressive Alliance, the Minister's statement was heard with rapt attention and silence, punctuated at times with cries of "shame-shame."

In his brief intervention, the Minister for Science and Technology, Kapil Sibal, said since the report was ready some three months after the incident and that the Government had kept it under wraps, it could not have been done without the connivance of the Gujarat Government, the Centre, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, insisting that this aspect should be investigated.

The House later passed by voice vote the appropriation bill to provide for the withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of a part of the financial year 2004-2005. The budget would come up for voting after the parliamentary committee considers the demands-for-grant during the inter-session period.

On concerns expressed by members during the 10-hour discussion, Mr. Prasad said the rail budget was a reflection of various sections and that he was committed to making the Railways the best system in the world. Explaining the rationale behind introducing earthen pots (kulhars), use of milk products, khadi and handloom and permitting transportation of cattle, he said this was meant to cater to traditional practices of those in this trade.

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