TN Express mishap: TNCC leader slams lack of security measures in trains

The Railway Department, held by Trinamool Congress in the Manmohan Singh-led cabinet, came under fire from ally Congress with a leader of the party in Tamil Nadu slamming lack of security measures and maintenance as he noted accidents were on the rise of late. "While passengers board trains confident of reaching their destination safely, it is unpardonable that they are burnt to death while asleep," TNCC President BS Gnanadesikan said.

Holding that accidents have increased of late, he claimed it was "evident that security measures and maintenance of coaches are weak."

"It is not known whether steps are put in place to avoid mishaps following probes conducted after earlier instances," he said in a statement expressing shock over the fire mishap in a coach of Chennai-bound Tamil Nadu Express which claimed 32 lives.

The CPI also slammed the Railways, with party's state unit secretary D Pandian alleging that the management was not hiring adequate manpower to handle its affairs and charged it with "negligence," behind today's mishap that killed 32 persons.