Bhubaneswar. Odisha Chief Secretary P K Jena said his government has no intention of hiding the death toll in the Balasore train accident and the entire rescue operation is underway in full view of all.
Responding to allegations of manipulation of the death toll, he said the Odisha government believes in transparency. Jena said, “Media persons have been present at the accident site since the beginning. Everything is happening in front of the cameras.” Jena said, “The railways has put the death toll at 288.
We have also said the same and this number is based on the information received from the Railways. But, our Balasore District Magistrate confirmed the death toll and till 10 am on Sunday it stood at 275. Asked about the change in the death toll, the chief secretary said some bodies were counted twice. There was also no restriction on the entry of media persons at the accident site, he said.
He said, “Rescue and even repair work was done in front of everyone.” Significantly, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the death toll and said that 61 people died in her state. and 182 are still missing. Addressing a press conference on Sunday, he asked, “If 182 people are missing from one state and 61 deaths have been confirmed, how are the figures correct?”
At the same time, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav refused to answer any questions of journalists regarding Banerjee’s allegations. Chief Secretary Jena said that out of 275 bodies, only 108 have been identified. Wants to identify the deceased so that his last rites can be performed by his family members. Jena said, “The bodies are rapidly decomposing due to the scorching heat. Therefore, according to the law, the state can wait for a maximum of two more days for the last rites.
PC:Chetna Manch
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