Who is responsible for Thursday’s chaos? Who gave NOC for the motormen’s protest during evening rush hours? Commuter organisations on Friday demanded the filing of an FIR against the trade unions that protested at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on Thursday and those who gave permission for the strike that led to a disruption of local train services, leading to chaos and the death of two commuters.
‘File cases’
“When passenger organisations plan a protest, they are slapped with notices and threats by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Where were they yesterday? Who issued permission for protests during the evening rush hour. The organisers and those who gave permission must be punished. There was so much suffering yesterday and people died. Someone needs to be held accountable. They held commuters to ransom,” said Nandkumar Deshmukh, president of the Federation of Suburban Passengers’ Association.
“The Kalyan Kasara Railway Passengers Welfare Association strongly condemns the agitation held by the railway employees’ union on Thursday. The protest — deliberately organised during peak travel hours — caused immense hardship. The association has demanded strict action,” said association president Jagdish Dhangar.
“Departure of suburban trains from CSMT was obstructed for about one hour, in an attempt to exert pressure on authorities. The railway administration should fix accountability for this misconduct and take strict departmental action, including dismissal from service, against those who endangered public safety,” said railway activist Samir Zaveri.
According to Zaveri, the RPF needs to register an FIR under relevant criminal laws, including provisions of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), against railway employees responsible for holding up trains. “CCTV footage will help identify every rail employee involved,” he added.
‘Officials must resign’
“I demand the resignation of the CR general manager and divisional railway manager for the misconduct and illegalities by rail employees under their supervision, as well as acts that occurred at CSMT where their offices are located. The railway police at CSMT must also register an FIR against the employees responsible for halting operations,” said commuter activist, Adv Kanchan Ghanshani.
Who gave NOC?
Asked ABOUT who gave the NOC and permission for the protest, railway officials said the permission was given at the divisional railway office and not at the station. “The permission was only to gather and hand over a petition to the divisional railway manager in protest. The agitation happened after the protest was over,” a Central Railway (CR) official said.
Motorman’s lobby blocked
The protesters on Thursday blocked the motormen’s lobby with benches and also tied up the doors blocking movement of motormen who run trains. The disruption between 5.50 pm and 6.45pm led to chaos at all stations and the eventual death of two passengers.
Union refutes responsibility
“We did not stop the motormen from operating trains. The protest against the FIR was spontaneous and we had no role in it. The FIR filed against rail engineers accused in the Mumbra rail tragedy incident in June was unfair, based on an incorrect report. The VJTI team visited the accident site a month later and compiled data,” Central Railway Mazdoor Sangh president Praveen Bajpayee said.
02
No. of people who lost lives
03
No. of people injured
