New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has not found any sabotage links with the recent Train Accidents, according to sources familiar with the situation. Preliminary enquiries in Six train accidents were done by the NIA. The federal agency is currently examining at least four incidents as part of a preliminary inquiry (PE), and investigations are ongoing.
On the condition of anonymity, an official said, “So far, we have not discovered any signs of sabotage in the train derailment cases, but our investigation is still active. We are reviewing four such accidents within this PE framework.” In the last two months, several incidents have emerged where railway tracks were obstructed by items such as gas cylinders, boulders or broken rails, which appeared to be intended to damage trains or endanger passengers.
Ashwini Vaishnaw seeks NIA’s help
Last month, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the Indian Railways had enlisted the NIA’s assistance to investigate these accidents. “The railway administration is treating this matter with utmost seriousness. We are in continuous communication with the state governments, their directors general of police, and home secretaries. The NIA is also involved,” Vaishnaw said on September 24.
On September 22, the driver of a goods train travelling from Kanpur to Prayagraj spotted a gas cylinder on the tracks and successfully halted the train. Earlier, on September 15, a damaged gas cylinder and a Molotov cocktail were discovered on a track designated for the Kalindi Express. On October 12, the Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Express collided with a stationary freight train in Kavarapettai, Tamil Nadu, resulting in injuries to nine individuals.
