A 19-year-old man injured in Friday's train tragedy succumbed to his wounds at a hospital here Sunday, taking the death toll to 62.

Municipal Councillor Rajinder Saini said Harsh, a resident of ward number 24, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening.

However, the death could not be confirmed from the district authorities.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said that 59 people had died, while Sub-Divisonal Magistrate Amritsar Rajesh Sharma had put the toll at 61 on that day.

The tragic incident took place on Friday evening when a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy was run over by a train near Joda Phatak here.

At least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana dahan' at a ground adjacent to the tracks.

A 19-year-old man injured in Friday's train tragedy succumbed to his wounds at a hospital here Sunday, taking the death toll to 62. Municipal Councillor Rajinder Saini said Harsh, a resident of ward number 24, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening.

A 19-year-old man injured in Friday's train tragedy succumbed to his wounds at a hospital here Sunday, taking the death toll to 62. Municipal Councillor Rajinder Saini said Harsh, a resident of ward number 24, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday evening. However, the death could not be confirmed from the district authorities. On Saturday, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had said that 59 people had died, while Sub-Divisonal Magistrate Amritsar Rajesh Sharma had put the toll at 61 on that day. The tragic incident took place on Friday evening when a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled onto railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravana effigy was run over by a train near Joda Phatak here. At least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana dahan' at a ground adjacent to the tracks.

Amritsar train tragedy: One more succumbs to injuries; death toll 62

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu Sunday refused to react to the SAD's demands for his dismissal and lodging of an FIR against his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu over the Amritsar train incident on Dussehra.

SAD had made the demands as Sidhu's wife had allegedly presided over an "unauthorised" Dussehra event on Friday close to a railway track near Joda Phatak with a speeding train tearing through a crowd of spectators spilling over the track and mowing down 59 of them.

"Anything else, anything else, anything else... No comments,"&nbsp;Sidhu said in a curt reply to the media's query on Shiromani Akali Dal's demands.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who met family members of the victims on Saturday night, had sought Sidhu's dismissal from the Cabinet, describing the incident as a "massacre".

Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had even demanded lodging of a criminal case against event organisers and Sidhu's wife.

Majithia had accused Navjot Kaur Sidhu of running away from the mishap site, alleging that she had left the venue without bothering for the victims.

Majithia had also claimed that the burning of Ravana's effigy was delayed as Sidhu's wife who was the chief guest was running late for the event.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu had said she came to know about the "tragic incident" after she had left the venue.

She had added that soon after coming to know of the incident, she had gone to the hospital to see the patients.

She had also claimed that being a doctor herself, she had even personally treated some of the victims, besides arranging for some more doctors to attend on them.&nbsp;

Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu Saturday had defended his wife, saying that she was with the victims when the allegations were being levelled against her.

"I fought elections from here because of my wife. She has been working here. Last night, when accusations were being levelled against her, she was with patients. She called me up yesterday. She came to know of the incident before reaching home,"&nbsp;Sidhu had said Saturday, adding the incident should not be given a "political colour".

Dussehra celebrations was organised by Saurabh Madan, son of municipal councilor Vijay Madan and Navjot Kaur Sidhu was the chief guest at the event. 
At least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana dahan' at the ground adjacent to the railway tracks.&nbsp;

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu Sunday refused to react to the SAD's demands for his dismissal and lodging of an FIR against his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu over the Amritsar train incident on Dussehra.

Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu Sunday refused to react to the SAD's demands for his dismissal and lodging of an FIR against his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu over the Amritsar train incident on Dussehra. SAD had made the demands as Sidhu's wife had allegedly presided over an "unauthorised" Dussehra event on Friday close to a railway track near Joda Phatak with a speeding train tearing through a crowd of spectators spilling over the track and mowing down 59 of them. "Anything else, anything else, anything else... No comments," Sidhu said in a curt reply to the media's query on Shiromani Akali Dal's demands. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, who met family members of the victims on Saturday night, had sought Sidhu's dismissal from the Cabinet, describing the incident as a "massacre". Senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia had even demanded lodging of a criminal case against event organisers and Sidhu's wife. Majithia had accused Navjot Kaur Sidhu of running away from the mishap site, alleging that she had left the venue without bothering for the victims. Majithia had also claimed that the burning of Ravana's effigy was delayed as Sidhu's wife who was the chief guest was running late for the event. Navjot Kaur Sidhu had said she came to know about the "tragic incident" after she had left the venue. She had added that soon after coming to know of the incident, she had gone to the hospital to see the patients. She had also claimed that being a doctor herself, she had even personally treated some of the victims, besides arranging for some more doctors to attend on them. Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu Saturday had defended his wife, saying that she was with the victims when the allegations were being levelled against her. "I fought elections from here because of my wife. She has been working here. Last night, when accusations were being levelled against her, she was with patients. She called me up yesterday. She came to know of the incident before reaching home," Sidhu had said Saturday, adding the incident should not be given a "political colour". Dussehra celebrations was organised by Saurabh Madan, son of municipal councilor Vijay Madan and Navjot Kaur Sidhu was the chief guest at the event. At least 300 people were watching the 'Ravana dahan' at the ground adjacent to the railway tracks.

Amritsar train tragedy: Sidhu refuses to react to SAD's demand of his ouster

A Punjab police commando and a photojournalist were injured Sunday when security personnel removed protesters from a rail track where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a train, officials said.&nbsp;

The agitated protesters blocking the track were removed and train services resumed this afternoon, 40 hours after the horrific accident, a railway spokesperson said.&nbsp;

On Friday evening, a gathering of more than 300 people were on the tracks to watch the burning of a Ravana effigy when the speeding train struck leaving 59 dead and scores injured.

The first goods train started from Manawala to Amritsar at 1416 hours, Northern Railways spokesperson Deepak Kumar told PTI, adding this is being followed by mail/express trains.

The railways got the clearance from local authorities at 12:30 pm to restore services, the railway spokesperson said.

"Train services resumed on the affected rail track near Joda Phatak," Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (Railways), Firozpur Division, S Sudharkar said.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, the Punjab Police cleared the track off the protesters who were staging a sit-in.&nbsp;

They resorted to stone-pelting and clashed with security personnel after being removed, officials said.&nbsp;

A Punjab police commando and a photojournalist were injured during the clash, they said.&nbsp;

The protestors were raising slogans against the state government and demanding the resignation of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu.

The Punjab police have deployed its personnel, including commandoes, to manage the crowd. The Rapid Action Force was also present in the Joda Patak area, officials said.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the Amritsar administration to prepare detailed socioe-conomic profiles of victims.&nbsp;

Singh, who met some of the survivors in hospitals Saturday, was particularly moved by tales of two young women who lost their entire family including children and husbands, and in one case her in-laws, an official release said.

Anguished at the plight of such survivors, Singh told Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar that the government needed to do more than just giving Rs 5 lakh ex gratia, especially in cases where victims were poor.&nbsp;

The senior Congress leader announced that a proper system would be worked out to ensure that such survivors were rehabilitated by the state at the earliest.&nbsp;

He also directed that ration, clothing, medicines etc be provided to the families of the victims as most were from the economically weaker sections of the society.&nbsp;

Singh reviewed the relief and rehabilitation work with the Crisis Management Group of ministers headed by state Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, and directed them to take immediate steps for early disbursement of the compensation.

All steps should be taken for the effective rehabilitation of the survivors and families of the victims, he added.&nbsp;

The Crisis Management Group was set up by the state government on Friday, immediately after the disaster struck.&nbsp;

A Punjab police commando and a photojournalist were injured Sunday when security personnel removed protesters from a rail track where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a train, officials said.

A Punjab police commando and a photojournalist were injured Sunday when security personnel removed protesters from a rail track where 59 Dussehra revellers were mowed down by a train, officials said. The agitated protesters blocking the track were removed and train services resumed this afternoon, 40 hours after the horrific accident, a railway spokesperson said. On Friday evening, a gathering of more than 300 people were on the tracks to watch the burning of a Ravana effigy when the speeding train struck leaving 59 dead and scores injured. The first goods train started from Manawala to Amritsar at 1416 hours, Northern Railways spokesperson Deepak Kumar told PTI, adding this is being followed by mail/express trains. The railways got the clearance from local authorities at 12:30 pm to restore services, the railway spokesperson said. "Train services resumed on the affected rail track near Joda Phatak," Senior Divisional Security Commissioner (Railways), Firozpur Division, S Sudharkar said. Earlier in the day, the Punjab Police cleared the track off the protesters who were staging a sit-in. They resorted to stone-pelting and clashed with security personnel after being removed, officials said. A Punjab police commando and a photojournalist were injured during the clash, they said. The protestors were raising slogans against the state government and demanding the resignation of Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. The Punjab police have deployed its personnel, including commandoes, to manage the crowd. The Rapid Action Force was also present in the Joda Patak area, officials said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the Amritsar administration to prepare detailed socioe-conomic profiles of victims. Singh, who met some of the survivors in hospitals Saturday, was particularly moved by tales of two young women who lost their entire family including children and husbands, and in one case her in-laws, an official release said. Anguished at the plight of such survivors, Singh told Chief Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar that the government needed to do more than just giving Rs 5 lakh ex gratia, especially in cases where victims were poor. The senior Congress leader announced that a proper system would be worked out to ensure that such survivors were rehabilitated by the state at the earliest. He also directed that ration, clothing, medicines etc be provided to the families of the victims as most were from the economically weaker sections of the society. Singh reviewed the relief and rehabilitation work with the Crisis Management Group of ministers headed by state Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, and directed them to take immediate steps for early disbursement of the compensation. All steps should be taken for the effective rehabilitation of the survivors and families of the victims, he added. The Crisis Management Group was set up by the state government on Friday, immediately after the disaster struck.

Amritsar: Police commando, photojournalist injured as protesters clash with cops; traffic restored

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha Saturday ruled out any punitive action against the driver of the train that mowed down Dussehra revellers in Amritsar, saying there was no negligence on the part of the national transporter and also advised people not to organise such events near tracks.

The accident has claimed over 60 lives so far out of which 39 bodies have been identified by the authorities.

The railways has maintained that it was not at fault because it had no intimation about the Dussehra event.&nbsp;

"The incident was not a railways' fault. There was no lapse on our part and no action against the driver will be initiated. People should refrain from organising such events near tracks in future. I think if precaution had been taken, the accident could have been averted," he said, adding wherever such events are held, the district administration concerned gives permission.&nbsp;

The minister said drivers are given specific instructions on where to slow down the train. "There was a curve. The driver couldn't have seen it. What should we order an inquiry about? Trains travel in speed only," said Sinha when he was asked if an inquiry would be ordered against the driver.

Asked about opposition attack on former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the Dussehra function, Sinha said nobody should do politics on this issue. "It is a tragic incident."&nbsp;

Vivek Kumar, the Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozpur, said the driver has been questioned but no lapse could be found at his end. He said that while the train was travelling at a speed of 91 km/hr but after spotting the crowd on the track, it slowed down to 68 km/hr before the first impact.&nbsp;

"People were trespassing the railway lines when the incident took place. Due to darkness and sound of firecrackers, the people could not hear the sound of train. The driver did not see the crowd earlier as there was a curve. The driver tried to apply brakes and minimize the speed to the train running at 90 Km/hour but it takes time to stop the train," he said.&nbsp;

During the questioning, the driver also said that he had tried to stop the train but couldn't.

Earlier, Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Railway Board, had said the mishap occurred at a stretch between two stations -- Amritsar and Manawala -- and not at a level crossing.&nbsp;

"At midsections, trains run at their assigned speed and people are not expected to be on the tracks. At midsections, there is no railway staff posted. We have staff at level crossings whose job is to regulate traffic," he said, explaining why the railways was not alerted about the congregation by its staff.

He said the gate man was 400 metres away at a level crossing. He also said that if the driver had applied emergency brakes, there could have been a bigger tragedy.

The train was running at its assigned speed and initial reports suggest that the driver applied brakes and the train slowed down, he said.&nbsp;

"There was no information and no permission sought from us. The (Dussehra) event took place at a place adjoining the railway land in private property," he said.&nbsp;

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha Saturday ruled out any punitive action against the driver of the train that mowed down Dussehra revellers in Amritsar, saying there was no negligence on the part of the national transporter and also advised people not to organise such events near tracks.

Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha Saturday ruled out any punitive action against the driver of the train that mowed down Dussehra revellers in Amritsar, saying there was no negligence on the part of the national transporter and also advised people not to organise such events near tracks. The accident has claimed over 60 lives so far out of which 39 bodies have been identified by the authorities. The railways has maintained that it was not at fault because it had no intimation about the Dussehra event. "The incident was not a railways' fault. There was no lapse on our part and no action against the driver will be initiated. People should refrain from organising such events near tracks in future. I think if precaution had been taken, the accident could have been averted," he said, adding wherever such events are held, the district administration concerned gives permission. The minister said drivers are given specific instructions on where to slow down the train. "There was a curve. The driver couldn't have seen it. What should we order an inquiry about? Trains travel in speed only," said Sinha when he was asked if an inquiry would be ordered against the driver. Asked about opposition attack on former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the Dussehra function, Sinha said nobody should do politics on this issue. "It is a tragic incident." Vivek Kumar, the Divisional Railway Manager, Ferozpur, said the driver has been questioned but no lapse could be found at his end. He said that while the train was travelling at a speed of 91 km/hr but after spotting the crowd on the track, it slowed down to 68 km/hr before the first impact. "People were trespassing the railway lines when the incident took place. Due to darkness and sound of firecrackers, the people could not hear the sound of train. The driver did not see the crowd earlier as there was a curve. The driver tried to apply brakes and minimize the speed to the train running at 90 Km/hour but it takes time to stop the train," he said. During the questioning, the driver also said that he had tried to stop the train but couldn't. Earlier, Ashwani Lohani, Chairman, Railway Board, had said the mishap occurred at a stretch between two stations -- Amritsar and Manawala -- and not at a level crossing. "At midsections, trains run at their assigned speed and people are not expected to be on the tracks. At midsections, there is no railway staff posted. We have staff at level crossings whose job is to regulate traffic," he said, explaining why the railways was not alerted about the congregation by its staff. He said the gate man was 400 metres away at a level crossing. He also said that if the driver had applied emergency brakes, there could have been a bigger tragedy. The train was running at its assigned speed and initial reports suggest that the driver applied brakes and the train slowed down, he said. "There was no information and no permission sought from us. The (Dussehra) event took place at a place adjoining the railway land in private property," he said.

No action against driver, railways not at fault: MoS Manoj Sinha on Amritsar train accident

The accident in Amritsar Friday night in which over 60 people were mowed down by a train during Dussehra celebrations was the worst due to trespassing on the tracks, railway officials said.

Here is a list of some other such accidents:

* June 4, 2002-The Kasganj level crossing disaster occurred when a Kanpur Kasganj Express collided with a passenger bus in Uttar Pradesh, killing 30 and injuring 29.

* June 4, 2010-The Coimbatore Mettupalayam special train collided with a mini-bus at an unmanned level-crossing at Idigarai near Coimbatore, killing 5.

* July 7, 2011-&nbsp;A Mathura Chhapra Express hit a bus at an unmanned level crossing in Thanagaon of Uttar Pradesh's Kanshiram Nagar district, killing 38 and injuring 30.

* February 26, 2012- The Trivandrum-Kozhikode Jan Shatabdi Express struck people who were standing on the track to watch fireworks, killing 3 and injuring 1.

* March 20, 2012- A train collided with an overloaded taxi minivan at an unmanned railroad crossing in northern Uttar Pradesh, 296 km from Lucknow, killing 15.

* March 26, 2012- A MEMU commuter train collided with a boulder-carrying truck at the Kannamangala gate on the outskirts of Bangalore, killing the pilot and driver.

* July 23, 2014- A Nanded passenger train collided with a school bus at an unmanned level-crossing in Masaipet village of Medak district, killing 18.

* Jan 17, 2017- Two 15-year-old boys wanting to take selfies in front of an approaching train were killed when they were hit by another train running on an adjacent track. This happened near Akshardham station in Delhi.

* April 25, 2018-13 children killed after train rammed into school van at railway crossing in UP's Kushinagar.&nbsp;

The accident in Amritsar Friday night in which over 60 people were mowed down by a train during Dussehra celebrations was the worst due to trespassing on the tracks, railway officials said.

The accident in Amritsar Friday night in which over 60 people were mowed down by a train during Dussehra celebrations was the worst due to trespassing on the tracks, railway officials said. Here is a list of some other such accidents: * June 4, 2002-The Kasganj level crossing disaster occurred when a Kanpur Kasganj Express collided with a passenger bus in Uttar Pradesh, killing 30 and injuring 29. * June 4, 2010-The Coimbatore Mettupalayam special train collided with a mini-bus at an unmanned level-crossing at Idigarai near Coimbatore, killing 5. * July 7, 2011- A Mathura Chhapra Express hit a bus at an unmanned level crossing in Thanagaon of Uttar Pradesh's Kanshiram Nagar district, killing 38 and injuring 30. * February 26, 2012- The Trivandrum-Kozhikode Jan Shatabdi Express struck people who were standing on the track to watch fireworks, killing 3 and injuring 1. * March 20, 2012- A train collided with an overloaded taxi minivan at an unmanned railroad crossing in northern Uttar Pradesh, 296 km from Lucknow, killing 15. * March 26, 2012- A MEMU commuter train collided with a boulder-carrying truck at the Kannamangala gate on the outskirts of Bangalore, killing the pilot and driver. * July 23, 2014- A Nanded passenger train collided with a school bus at an unmanned level-crossing in Masaipet village of Medak district, killing 18. * Jan 17, 2017- Two 15-year-old boys wanting to take selfies in front of an approaching train were killed when they were hit by another train running on an adjacent track. This happened near Akshardham station in Delhi. * April 25, 2018-13 children killed after train rammed into school van at railway crossing in UP's Kushinagar.

Amritsar train mishap: Worst accident caused by 'trespassing' in history of railways