Odisha train accident | Tamil Nadu political leaders express condolences; Congress, PMK and others demand detailed probe

Leaders of major political parties in Tamil Nadu on Saturday expressed deep condolences to the families of those killed in the train accident in Odisha, and demanded that the rescue and relief efforts be expedited.

Leaders of major political parties in Tamil Nadu on Saturday expressed deep condolences to the families of those killed in the train accident in Odisha, and demanded that the rescue and relief efforts be expedited.

AIADMK general secretary and Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami said he was deeply saddened by the accident, especially on hearing that many people from Tamil Nadu were affected. He urged the Tamil Nadu government to take all necessary measures to ensure the wellbeing of those injured, and safely bring them back home.

Expressing condolences to the families of the deceased, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran urged Tamil Nadu Ministers and officials visiting Odisha to take necessary action to help Tamil Nadu people affected in the accident.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K.S. Alagiri termed the Odisha rail accident unfortunate, and extended his condolences to families of those who had lost their lives. Alleging that train accidents have increased in recent years, he blamed the Union government for its “lackadaisical’ attitude for the accident. He lauded the efforts taken by the Tamil Nadu government towards the rescue and relief of the people from the State, affected in the accident.

Both Mr. Alagiri and TNCC Legislative Party leader K. Selvaperunthagai demanded that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw resign, taking responsibility for the accident. Mr. Selvaperunthagai said the railways should look into the reasons behind the accident, and take measures to ensure that such incidents do not take place in the future. He also called for the dismissal of railway officials responsible for the accident.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said the Centre should order a detailed probe into the accident. He urged the State government to provide all possible help and provide sufficient compensation to the families of the deceased and injured. PMK founder S. Ramadoss called for appropriate relief measures and quality treatment for those who have been injured in the accident.

Tamil Maanila Congress president G.K. Vasan said that the ex-gratia amount announced for the families of those killed in the accident was inadequate. He demanded that a family member of all those killed be provided a job in the railways and the compensation announced for those injured, be increased. PM Modi had announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).