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The tragic death of Amar Kumar Rao, a railway worker at Bihar's Barauni Junction, has brought to light the critical issue of safety and coordination within the Indian Railways. Rao was crushed to death during a shunting operation, an incident that has sparked a preliminary inquiry and a demand for accountability. The investigation revealed a disturbing lack of coordination between two pointsmen, a situation that ultimately led to the fatal accident.
The inquiry, conducted by the Indian Railways, focused on CCTV footage and witness statements. The evidence pointed to pointsman Mohammed Suleman as the individual responsible for the accident. Suleman, according to the report, wrongly gave a signal to the loco shunter, leading to Rao's death. After the 15204 Lucknow-Barauni train arrived at the station on November 9th, Suleman and Rao were tasked with detaching the engine. During this task, Rao became trapped between the engine and the power car following Suleman's erroneous signal.
The investigation also revealed a disturbing lack of action by the train driver. Despite an alarm being raised by onlookers, the driver reportedly abandoned the scene without taking any measures to reverse the engine or prevent further harm. The train driver's actions, or lack thereof, highlight a serious lapse in judgement and a failure to prioritize the safety of the workers involved. This incident raises questions about the training and preparedness of railway personnel in responding to emergency situations.
Adding further complexity to this tragedy, the blame game has commenced. While Rao's family demands legal action against Suleman, Suleman, in his written submission, has defended himself and accused the loco driver of being responsible for the accident. According to Suleman, he and Rao disconnected the engine and the power car, but the engine subsequently moved. As Rao attempted to close the buffer coupler, the driver reversed the engine without any hand signal. This conflicting account further underscores the need for a thorough investigation and a comprehensive understanding of the events that led to Rao's tragic death.
The Indian Railways has initiated a senior-level inquiry to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding this fatal accident. This inquiry is crucial not only to identify the individual responsible but also to implement long-lasting measures to improve safety protocols and prevent such incidents from recurring. The railway system plays a vital role in the transportation network of India, and the safety of its workers is paramount. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for a robust safety culture and a rigorous adherence to safety regulations throughout the railway network.
Source: Conspiracy Claim Follows Rail Worker's Death, Probe Cites Poor Coordination