Four gangmen working on a railway line in Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh were run over by a speeding train on Monday, November 5. The incident took place between Sandila and Umartali stations, as reported by The Indian Express.

The kin of the victims alleged laxity on part of the railways. Reportedly, Moradabad Divisional Railway Manager Ajay Kumar Singh has formed a committee to probe into the unfortunate accident. While the four workers were conducting routine repair work on the tracks between Sandila and Umartali stations, the Howrah-Amritsar Akal Takht Express train ran them over at 11:55 am.

The victims have been identified as Rajesh Kumar, 35, Ram Swarup, 45, Kaushal Kumar, 32 and Rajendra, 42.

An FIR has been registered against unidentified railway employees under IPC sections 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 304A (causing death by negligence), reportedly said the station house officer (SHO) of Sandila police station, Jagdish Yadav.

Railways say permission not taken

Superintendent of Police, Government Railway Police (Lucknow), Saumitra Yadav said that “prima facie, it has come to light that the gangmen had not taken official permission before starting repair work.” Usually, block permission is taken before a person starts repair works to avoid being in the middle of two approaching trains.

Local residents who stay in the proximity said that the train was approaching at a tremendous speed. Reports suggest that the bodies were thrown off 40mts because of the collision.

Family members of the deceased blamed the railways for laxity in ensuring the safety of its staff. “It’s sheer negligence. How can they put the staffers to task without taking caution on the route? It’s an unpardonable offence. The railways seem to have turned a blind eye towards the safety of its staffers,” Sankata Prasad, the uncle of victim Ram Swarup, said, reported Hindustan Times.

The Logical Indian sympathises with the family of the victims. This incident comes weeks after the Amritsar train tragedy where 61 people were killed and many were left injured when a speeding train ran them over. The concerned authorities should conduct a thorough probe and hold the guilty accountable for the deaths.

Also Read: Amritsar Train Tragedy: Punjab CM Orders Magisterial Inquiry Into The Accident Which Killed Over 60