HYDERABAD: The eyewitnesses of Sunday's fire mishap in Chennai-Hyderabad Express near Secunderabad railway station did not turn up for the statutory inquiry conducted by Commissioner of Railway Safety R. P. Agarwal at Sanchalan Bhavan here on Wednesday.

Barring railway staff and the police, none of the eyewitnesses, including a Chennai-based businessman Ashok Jain who rescued more than 20 passengers in his S10 compartment by pulling the chain and a CRPF constable S. Manohar Reddy turned up to depose their evidence. "Railway officials informed me to appear for the inquiry, but I returned to Chennai after attending a family function in Hyderabad," Mr. Jain said.

Ire over apathy

Speaking to The Hindu over phone from Chennai, Mr. Jain vented his ire at the higher authorities for what he termed as `apathetic attitude' in granting compensation for the property, mostly gold jewellery worth over Rs.1.2 lakhs damaged in the incident. "When I wanted to give a complaint, officials prevented me assuring that compensation would be paid soon but no action has been taken till now," he said.

Meanwhile, engine driver Chenchaiah said he had stopped the train immediately after a passenger pulled the chain and alerted the guard on his walkie-talkie set.

The guard then got down from his coach only to find smoke emanating from the S9 bogie and informed the matter to the higher-ups at Secunderabad station.

The train was going at a speed of 10 kilometres per hour when the accident occurred, he said.When contacted, Secunderabad Divisional Railway Manager Sharad Ingale said the inquiry commission would continue with its proceedings till the statements of all the eyewitnesses have been recorded.

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