The Gyneswari Express tragedy could have been averted if the Railways and its security forces were more vigilant in the Maoist-infested area, West Bengal Communist Party of India (Marxist) secretary Biman Bose said on Friday blaming the mishap on sabotage by the Maoists.
"The Maoists in
the past had attacked trains on railway tracks adjacent to Jhargram. Against this backdrop, the railways' own security force should have kept stricter vigil in the area involving pilot trains for instance," Bose said in a statement.
Condemning the violence by the Maoists, Bose, also a party politburo member, said the central government has to help the states affected by Maoist activities.
"The Centre should not demonstrate any weakness in this regard and the central and state governments have to jointly counter the inhuman attacks," he said.
He requested the state government to take necessary steps to help those affected in the incident.
He said a procession would be taken out in Kolkata on Saturday to condemn the Maoist violence and pay respect to passengers who lost their lives. He urged all peace-loving people to join it.