Desperate search still on for loved ones,people fill forms for DNA test

“I was sleeping with my daughter in my lap. When the accident occurred,my daughter fell down. I asked my brother to look for her. For a moment,I saw my daughter in a pool of blood but then there was another blow to the train and I fell unconscious,” said Bithika.

When she was rescued,she looked at the site for hours but could not find her brother and daughter.

Seven members of Bithika’s family,including Swapan’s wife Umati,have been looking for Swapan and Latika.

On Sunday afternoon,they filled out a form for DNA identification.

“We have decided to carry out DNA identification test on bodies that are mutilated beyond identification. Samples will be collected at the Midnapore Hospital and sent to CFSL Lab in Kolkata,” said West Midnapore DM Narayan Swaroop Nigam.

Dr Somnath Das,working at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital,said many bodies were difficult to be identified. “Since there is compensation for the dead,we want to be sure before handing over the bodies,” he added.

According to the hospital authorities,at least 20 bodies can be handed over to relatives only after DNA identification.

However,the wait will be longer and more painful for those going for DNA identification. For the family of Indu Bhatra (38) and Sneha Bhatra,the DNA identification process is not comforting at all but they have no other option. The mother and daughter from Liluah in Howrah were travelling in the S3 coach with Sourav Bhatra,Indu’s son,who is recuperating at Calcutta Hospital.

“Sourav says someone rescued him and when he regained consciousness,he was at Kharagpur Railway Hospital. He has no idea about the whereabouts of his mother and sister,” said Manish,one of their relatives.

Rajesh Bhatra,Indu’s husband,has found the clothes and slippers of his daughter and wife at the accident site. Since he has not seen any traces of blood on the clothes,he hopes there can be a possibility that they are still alive. Swinging between hope and despair,the family is continuing their search.