Hathras (UP), March 20
Sixteen persons were today killed and three seriously injured when the Mathura-Kasganj Express rammed into an overcrowded jeep at an unmanned railway crossing here. There are 14,853 such crossings in the country.

The accident took place at the crossing near Maidu station at 7.19 am in the district, SP Chandra Prakash said. The overloaded jeep was carrying about 20 passengers, all coming from Sathia village in Sasni tehsil.

Prakash said that last night one Munne Khan (40) committed suicide in Sathiya village and his family members along with other villagers were going to Hathras for the post mortem.

Sources in Delhi said the mishap took place when the jeep tried to cross the track even as the train was approaching. Railway Minister Mukul Roy blamed the van driver for the accident. In his first statement in Parliament after assuming office, Roy said Rs 2 lakh had been announced for the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the grievously injured besides Rs 25,000 to those with minor injury.

UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 1 lakh each to the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 each for those sustaining serious injuries and Rs 25,000 to those with minor injuries. — PTI