Odisha train tragedy: Railway denies reports that signal junior engineer is absconding

India's South Eastern Railway has refuted claims that one of its signal junior engineers was missing after interrogation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Odisha train tragedy. The CBI on Monday sealed the rented house of Soro Section signal junior engineer (JE). The agency is investigating the horrific accident in which 289 people lost their lives

Indo-Asian News Service on Monday reported that the JE, named Amir Khan, was initially interrogated by the CBI at an undisclosed location. When the agency officials reached Khan’s rented house in Soro on Monday, they found it locked and the entire family missing. 

However, the public relations officer of the South Eastern Railway has said in a statement in Hindi that the media reports were 'factually incorrect' and that the staff member is not missing.

What’s the role of a signal JE in the Indian Railways?->

The signal JE is responsible for installing, maintaining, and repairing signaling equipment, including signals, track circuits, point machines, and interlocking systems. Overall, they play a critical role in ensuring smooth and safe train operations around the clock. 

Now, it becomes important to note that railway officials insist the Odisha train tragedy was a result of “deliberate interference with the electronic interlocking system.” The Times of India quoted the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM)of Khurda, Rinkesh Roy, as saying, “You get green signal only after fulfilling all the pre-conditions such as whether the route is set and everything is right. Even if there is a minor problem, technically, there cannot be a green signal in any circumstance; it becomes red. It can’t go green unless and until someone has tampered with it, someone has physically tampered with it.”

CBI probe to continue->

The CBI took over the investigation into the train accident in Balasore, Odisha on June 6. The CBI had already initiated a First Information Report (FIR) about this incident. In this case, the involvement of the CBI came about due to allegations of tampering with the electronic interlocking system following the accident.

The electronic interlocking system is responsible for providing information about the status of trains, and concerns of deliberate sabotage were raised by officials. As the investigation progresses, the expertise of railway security and forensic specialists will likely be required, as the CBI officials assigned to the case may not have extensive experience in handling railway-related matters.

According to official sources, an investigation is underway to determine the potential involvement of five railway employees, which includes the station master at Bahanaga Bazar.

PM Modi meets victims at the hospital->

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital here Modi met the victims of the train crash and spoke to them. While enquiring about their health condition he reviewed the treatment being provided to them at the health facility. 

The PM went to the hospital directly from the mishap site at Bahanaga Bazar Station. According to Special Relief Commissioner’s Office, the death toll in the train mishap now stands at 261 and around 1000 persons have been injured.