Hojai, February 23 (MExN): Assam Minister for Environment and Forest has called for enquiries into the deaths of five elephants caused by a speeding train on February 10 evening. According to a press release from the Divisional Forest Officer, Nagaon South Division in Hojai, the accident occurred about 200m from the Habaipur Railway Station – within the home and distant signal limit of the station. The accident happened at a place between 166/9 to 167/0 KM post and not between 167/0 to 167/7 KM post as claimed by the NFR, the release added. The DFO also denied the NFR’s claims that the incident took place at a location where there was no elephant corridor. “The location in between 166/6 to 170/0 KM post is found specified as elephant Corridor in the page No. 30/31 of the Book of Working Time Table No. 90 provided by the North East Frontier Railway,” the DFO maintained. The Silchar-bound train (Guwahati – Silchar fast passenger No. 15611), it added, was running at a speed of more than 60 km/hour and not under speed restriction of 30 km/h as claimed by the NFR. As such, the Environment and Forest Minister suggested three levels of enquiries viz., Railways, Magisterial enquiry by the Deputy Commissioner, Hojai, and Joint enquiry by Railways and Forest Department, the DFO informed. A case with the Forest Dept is already registered to find out the truth and to take action against delinquent official(s) if any, it added.
