M A I N   N E W S

1 killed, 22 hurt as train derails

Hyderabad, July 6
In the second rail mishap in four days in Andhra Pradesh, an engine and two coaches of Pakala-Bellary passenger train derailed due to suspected sabotage, killing its assistant engine driver and injuring 22 passengers in Chittoor district in the wee hours today.

The train derailed between Kurapalakota and Thummalakunta stations around 2 a.m. in the metre-gauge section of Guntakal division, Chittoor Additional SP B. Narasimha Rao said.

The Minister of State for Railways, Mr Bandaru Duttatreya, did not rule out sabotage as he said that some sleepers and a fishplate were missing and 13 boulders were found on the track.

“It clearly indicates the involvement of anti-social elements in the accident”, he said.

A Railways spokesman said a steel sleeper was found in between the tracks and several boulders were kept on the track, which led to the derailment.

Railway officials said assistant engine driver D.Mani was killed in the accident and engine driver N.S. Gupta received head injury. Twentyone passengers received minor injuries and were administered first-aid.

State Transport Corporation buses were pressed into service for the stranded passengers, the spokesman said. — PTI

Train derails near Jalandhar
Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, July 6
The traffic on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur railway section remained suspended for an hour when a middle bogie of a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) derailed at Khurdpur Railway Station near here today.

The derailment occurred at 8.25 am when the train was about to approach the platform. The middle bogie of the DMU got derailed as soon as it entered the platform. There as no report of any loss of life as the train was moving at a low speed. Rail traffic on the Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur section remained suspended for an hour. It was restored by the railway authorities concerned. Senior Ferozepore division officials have reached the spot to probe the cause of the derailment.

However, two local trains between Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur have been cancelled due to derailment.