Kalindi Express hits LPG cylinder placed on track; authorities suspect sabotage bid

A major train accident was averted by an alert loco pilot as the BhiwaniPrayagraj Kalindi Express was brought to a screeching halt after hitting an LPG cylinder placed on the tracks in Kanpur police said on Monday adding a bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also found at the site hinting at a sabotage bidThe incident occurred around 820 pm on Sunday when the Bhiwanibound train was running at a high speed An FIR has been registered and teams have been formed by multiple agencies including Uttar Pradeshs Anti Terrorist Squad ATS to probe the matter officials saidAn attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express by placing the LPG cylinder on the tracks Soon after receiving information about the incident around 820 pm on Sunday senior officials rushed to the site and launched an investigation the police saidAdditional Commissioner of Police Law and Order Harish Chandra said the loco pilot saw that the LPG cylinder was placed on the tracks and applied emergency brakesHowever before it came to a halt the train hit the cylinder throwing it away from the tracks Chandra said adding the loco pilot informed the guard and the gateman about itThe train remained at the incident site for about 20 minutes and was again stopped at the Bilhaur station for a check the ACP saidThe damaged cylinder has been recovered A bottle of petrol and matchboxes were also recovered from the spot Chandra saidHe said efforts were being made to identify the culprits and they will be dealt with sternlyThe Railways lodged an FIR at Shivrajpur against unidentified persons saying that placing an LPG cylinder on the tracks along with a bottle filled with petrol with a wick is a possible sabotage bidThe FIR has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Explosives Act and the Railways Act police saidTop officials formed five teams headed by senior officials to investigate the matterDeputy Commissioner of Police West Rajesh Kumar Singh said the Uttar Pradesh ATS has launched an investigation separatelyUP Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said All our senior officers have visited the spot and we are looking into things seriously Whatever facts come to light we will inform the media about them On a question about the ATS antiterrorist squad also reaching the spot in Kanpur the DGP said We will look into all the aspects and it is not possible to say anything on this without a full investigation A forensics team was also called in and the Railway Protection Force RPF is also investigating the matter officials saidAdditional DCP Local Intelligence Unit has also been asked to gather criminal intelligence about the conspirators and assist police teams in cracking the case DCP West Singh addedIt has also been decided to look for Jamatis members of Islamic groups in the vicinity and question them an official source saidA police team has also been dispatched to Kannauj after a sweet box was found near the site with officials saying it could possibly lead them to the perpetratorsMeanwhile the BJP asserted that the government will take tough action against those involved in the incidentThis is a matter of concern that there are some people and organisations who in their greed for power want the country to witness riots and anarchy Tough action has been taken against such acts and strict action will be taken in the future as well Bharatiya Janata Partys BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia told a press conference at the party headquarters in DelhiIndia under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so capable that it can destroy and finish off those who hatch conspiracies he saidBSP chief Mayawati also called for strict action against the culpritsIt is satisfying that the conspiracy to cause a train accident by placing gas cylinders etc on the railway track in Kanpur failedAfter a highlevel investigation strict action against the culprits is necessary so that public and rail safety is maintained she said on XThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever