About the amritsar tradagy in english
Answers
The annual Dussehra celebrations were to conclude with the burning of Ravan's effigy near Joda Phatak in Amritsar. Navjot Kaur Sidhu, former MLA and wife of Punjab Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu was the chief guest.
Joda Phatak is a manned crossing, called so because there are two crossings. The Pathankot railway line and the Jalandhar railway line meet just after Joda Phatak where they are just metres apart. This area lies on the outskirts of the city.
An open area next to the railway tracks is the site for an annual Ravan effigy burning.
Ravan was to turn into ashes by 6 pm. The train was expected to cross the tracks just before 7 pm. It reaches Amritsar station at 7 pm. But the Ravan Dahan was delayed because Mrs Sidhu, the chief guest, was late as she had to be present at other similar venues.
The ground was crowded and some people were standing along the railway tracks because it offered them a higher vantage point.
Organisers were happy to tell Mrs Sidhu how so many had gathered to see her, so many that some were spilling on to the railway tracks.
The moment the effigy was lit, firecrackers began shooting off towards the people. Mrs Sidhu was escorted away by her security guards even as a tragedy unfolded on the tracks.
In the noise of the crackers, joyous cheers from the crowd and the ensuing commotion, people did not notice that the Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU was speeding towards them. The train had left Manawala railway station just minutes ago and was racing towards Amritsar, its destination.