Murshidabad Rail Accident: 'The Signal Was Red, I Had No Information About a Train Coming on the Down Line' - Claims Arrested Gatekeeper
**Murshidabad:** A new twist has emerged in the horrific rail accident between Karnasubarna and Gobindpur stations in Murshidabad. Anup Karmakar, the gatekeeper arrested in the incident, has denied the allegations against him from his hospital bed, claiming that he was not given any information about a train coming on the down line and that the relevant signal was also red.
On Friday morning, a school van was struck by a passenger train while crossing the Karnasubarna-Gobindpur rail gate. Four children tragically lost their lives in the accident, along with a cyclist. Several others were injured. Following the incident, there was intense agitation in the area, and a heated debate began over who was responsible for the accident.
## What Does the Gatekeeper Claim?
Currently receiving treatment in the hospital after his arrest, Anup Karmakar stated that he has information about the train movements on both the up and down lines as per daily routine. He claims that the station master had called him before the departure of the Up line's Nabadvip Express, based on which he closed the gate.
Anup alleges that he was not informed about the passenger train coming on the down line through any phone call or message.
He said,
“After the Up line train left, I saw that the down line signal was red. So I thought the train had not yet left the station. Thinking I had some time, I opened the gate.”
## Why Was the Rail Gate Opened?
Some local residents claim that generally, the gate is kept closed when trains on the up and down lines pass consecutively. However, the accident occurred when the gate was opened after the Up line train passed on Friday.
In this regard, Anup Karmakar stated that it is not directly visible from his cabin whether a train is coming on the down line. He further claims that if the train driver had honked in advance, he could have been alerted. However, he alleges that he did not hear that horn either.
## Local Anger
After the accident, angry locals protested against the gatekeeper and reportedly assaulted him. The police later rescued and arrested him.
Some locals claim that this accident occurred due to the gatekeeper's irresponsibility. Some others have alleged that he was inebriated at the time of the incident. However, hospital sources have stated that there is currently no evidence of his intoxication from preliminary tests.
## What Is Emerging from the Investigation?
While the initial railway investigation has raised the possibility of negligence on the part of the gatekeeper, Anup Karmakar's claims have raised new questions in the investigation. Investigators are examining whether the communication system with the station master, the condition of the signal, and the protocols regarding train movements were properly followed.
It will become clear after the joint investigation report by the railway authorities and the administration is published who is truly responsible for this tragic accident.
