Railway minister reaches blast spot, orders enquiry

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee inspected the site where at least twenty passengers were killed and 150 injured when suspected Maoists blasted rail tracks in West Midnapore district early today and said a high powered investigation has been ordered.

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee inspected the site where at least twenty passengers were killed and 150 injured when suspected Maoists blasted rail tracks in West Midnapore district early Friday and said a high powered investigation has been ordered.

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"According to the information from Railways and administration, a bomb blast occurred triggerring the incident."

The blast occurred at 1:30 am when the train was running between Khemasoli and Sardiya stations, about 135 km from Kolkata, South Eastern Railway officials said.

"We condemn the incident. I shall write to the Union Home Minister to conduct an enquiry," she added.

"Law and order is a state subject and these are highly sensitive areas. Rajdhani Express was detained in this area. The Maoists are observing a Kala Divash (black day) between May 28 and May 31 here. We are sorry for whatever is going on."

"I am not yet holding somebody responsible for the incident. My first priority is rescue operations now."

"I boarded a train at 3 am to reach the spot."