ACHR condemns attack on the
Gyaneshwari Express by the Maoists
New Delhi: The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) unreservedly condemns planting of bombs by the Maoists that blasted on the Mumbai bound Gyaneshwari Express train killing at least 65 passengers and injuring over 200 others in West Midnapore district of West Bengal early today. This is an act of terrorism and war crimes.” - stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights in a statement released to the media today.
“The attack on the Gyaneshwari Express shows that the Maoists have been intentionally targeting the civilians and further that the attack on a civilian bus in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh on 17 May 2010 was neither a mistake nor an exception. Both the attacks were acts of mass murder of civilians.” - stated Mr Chakma, Director of the Asian Centre for Human Rights.
According to Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Mumbai-bound
Gyaneshwari Express derailed after the Maoists triggered a blast on the rail track. Five of the 13 derailed coaches fell on an adjacent track and
were hit by a goods train coming from the opposite direction. [Ends]