Guilt-ridden, driver yet to meet family

AMRITSAR: Kiran Diwan, driver of the ill-fated Samjhauta Express, can’t sleep these days. “He is consumed by despair and guilt though he did his best to save the passengers in the burning train,” says his 19-year-old daughter Meenakshi. Diwan’s wife and three children live in the railway colony here, but he hasn’t met them after the tragedy. It was from the television that Diwan’s family learnt of the news. “Finally, when we managed to contact him, he sounded so broken. He said he tried his best to apply the brakes as soon as he learnt about the fire but so many lives had been snuffed out by then,” says Meenakshi. The family is worried because Diwan is withdrawn and has called only thrice. “He loves his job. He has been driving the Samjhauta Express for the last three years and never fails to tell us how it stands for peace,” says Meenakshi.

Pak wants more bogies for Samjhauta

Islamabad: Pakistan railways have proposed increasing the number of bogies of the Samjhauta Express from the present nine to 13 and handing over its security to the paramilitary Rangers. The railways have also proposed the handing over of security of the Thar Express to the Rangers, Pak Railway Minister Shekih Rashid Ahmed said. This decision comes after reports that many people with ordinary tickets travelled in the reserved compartments, making identification difficult.

More security for trains

More effective security could soon be a reality for all trains. The Union Home Ministry has worked out some basic areas in consultation with the Railways. These include:

• Increasing the number of personnel in the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF)

•n Installing equipment like CCTVs and door-frame metal detectors at vulnerable points

• Deploying sniffer dog squads wherever needed Improving the system for ticketing and baggage handling

• Strengthening coordination between all agencies tasked with providing security on trains and in stations