New Delhi: Describing Tuesday's (Dec 14, 2004) Punjab train accident as a "human failure", Railway Minister Laloo Prasad today (Dec 16, 2004) said the Station Masters of Bhangala and Mirthal Stations had been suspended and FIRs lodged against them.

Making a statement in Parliament on the rail tragedy that claimed 38 lives, Laloo, whose absence had led to a pandemonium in Lok Sabha yesterday forcing its adjournment for the day, said one of the two Station Masters had been arrested and the police were looking for the other.

The concerned Section Engineer (Construction) and Section Engineer (Telecom) have also been placed under suspension, he said.

Giving details of the accident, Laloo said 38 people had been killed and 52 injured.

Normal traffic has been restored on the section, he said, adding the Commissioner of Railway Safety/Northern Circle is conducting the statutory inquiry into the accident.

The Commissioner would examine the reasons of the accident and give necessary recommendations to avoid such accidents in future, he said, adding the prima facie cause of the accident appeared to be "human failure".

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