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{{short description|2010 train accident in India}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Jnaneswari Express train derailment
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| location = West Midnapore, West Bengal
| target =
| coordinates = 
| date = 28 May 2010
| time = 01:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| timezone = [[UTC+05:30]]
| type = Sabotage or bombing
| fatalities = 148+<ref name="Hindustan2018">{{cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/eight-years-after-Gyaneshwari-Express-accident-families-of-victims-still-wait-for-closure/story-y2DwCTMi9YAgmtbf9VwjyM.html |work=Hindustan Times |title=Eight years after Gyaneshwari Express accident, families of victims still wait for closure |author=Koushik Dutta |date=14 July 2018 |access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref>
| injuries = 200+<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/05/20105294114550630.html |title=India train attack death toll rises – CENTRAL/S. ASIA |publisher=Al Jazeera English |access-date=31 May 2010}}</ref>
| victim =
| perps =
| perp =Debated, multiple players may have been responsible
| weapons =
| numparts =
| numpart =
| dfens =
| dfen =
| footage =
}}
{{Campaignbox Naxalite insurgency}}
{{Terrorist attacks in India (since 2001)}}
On 28 May 2010, a [[Jnaneshwari Express]] train derailed at about 1 am in the [[West Midnapore]] district of [[West Bengal]], India (between the Sardiha and Khemasuli railway stations near [[Jhargram]]).<ref name=IndiaExpres28May2010FifteenDead /> It was disputed as to whether sabotage or a bomb caused damage on the railway track, which in turn led to the derailment, before an oncoming goods train hit the loose carriages and resulted in the deaths of at least 148 passengers.<ref name="Hindustan2018"/>

== Background ==
A few weeks before the incident the [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Manmohan Singh]] said [[Naxal]] attacks were affecting the profitability of the railways: "We have lost Rs 5 billion because of Naxal ''[[bandh]]s'' and obstructions. There has been adverse impact on operations, freight loading and passenger traffic on a localised basis during bandh calls and other threats in vulnerable areas."<ref name="bizstand" />

The derailment occurred 90 minutes after a [[Communist Party of India (Maoist)]] or CPI(Mao) four-day ''[[bandh]]'' in the area began.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/05/201052804354131331.html| publisher = Al-Jazeera|title = 'Sabotage' behind India train crash | access-date=28 May 2010|date=28 May 2010}}</ref> It was termed a "black week" and security was put on high alert.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-india-trains-20100528,0,6845745.story | work = Los Angeles Times | access-date=28 May 2010| date=28 May 2010|title =India train crash leaves 65 dead in West Bengal state|first=Mark|last=Magnier}}</ref>

== Derailment ==
The state police chief stated that [[Naxalite-Maoist insurgency|Maoist Naxalites]] claimed responsibility for removing a {{convert|46|cm|adj=on}} length of railway track.<ref name=BBC27May2010TwentyFiveDead /> At {{Nowrap|01:30}} local time, a train with 13 carriages passing over the missing track derailed. The Howrah – Kurla Lokmanya Tilak Jnaneswari Super Deluxe Express was travelling from [[Howrah]] to [[Mumbai]].<ref name=IndiaExpres28May2010FifteenDead /> The derailed train was then struck by a goods train travelling in the opposite direction.<ref name=IndiaExpres28May2010FifteenDead /> At least 148 people died and more than 180 people were injured.<ref name="Hindustan2018"/><ref name=TheHindu30May2010Sardihatrain /> The missing track was between Khemasuli and Sardiha stations.<ref name=IndiaExpres28May2010FifteenDead /> A section of the rail track was found to be missing and [[fishplate]]s were loosened, suggesting sabotage.<ref name=BBC27May2010TwentyFiveDead /><ref>[http://livestreamingx.com/gyaneshwari-express-accident-one-foot-section-of-track-missing-05282826.html Jnaneswari Express accident One foot section of track missing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612013150/http://livestreamingx.com/gyaneshwari-express-accident-one-foot-section-of-track-missing-05282826.html |date=12 June 2010 }}</ref>

Initially there was uncertainty as to whether the attack was a result of a blast or due to derailment of the train. Railway Minister [[Mamata Banerjee]] said a bomb blast was part of a "calculated attack" that caused the train to derail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/bomb-blast-caused-derailment-mamata-banerjee-28354.php |title=Bomb blast caused train derailment: Mamata Banerjee |publisher=Ndtv.com |date=20 January 2010 |access-date=28 May 2010}}</ref> She said "The driver of the train heard an explosion, so we are looking into that. We are aware that the Naxals have access to sophisticated bombs and improvised explosive devices."<ref name="bizstand" />

== Rescue operation ==
Officially, 26 bodies were found, and a rescue team was working to find more bodies. [[Indian Air Force]] helicopters were pressed into service at the accident spot and airlifted some of the injured passengers to hospitals.<ref name=BBC27May2010TwentyFiveDead /> The [[National Cadet Corps (India)|NCC]] were also involved and a medical train was sent to the location.<ref name="NDTV" />

== Investigation ==
During the course of the investigation into the derailment, [[Samir Mahato]], a member of the ''Sidhu Kanhu Gana Militia''—the militant wing of the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA)—was arrested by the [[Criminal Investigation Department]] (CID) of police from [[Jhargram]] in West Midnapore district. His was the second arrest made by the CID in the case after the prime accused [[Khagen Mahato]].,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/westbengal/PCPA-leader-Samir-Mahato-arrested/Article1-554698.aspx |title=Jhargram train derailment: PCPA leader Samir Mahato arrested- Hindustan Times |access-date=2010-06-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611073753/http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/westbengal/PCPA-leader-Samir-Mahato-arrested/Article1-554698.aspx |archive-date=11 June 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Responsibility ==
After the West Bengal police said that the [[Jnaneswari Express]] accident "appears to be the work of Maoists,"<ref name=BBC27May2010TwentyFiveDead /> the police found posters from the Maoist-affiliated ''Police Santras Birodhi Janosadharan Committee'' (People's Committee against Police Atrocities, PCPA) claiming responsibility at the site.<ref name=HT28May201068killed /><ref name="toi2">{{cite web |url=http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=1&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOIBG&mydateHid=29-05-2010&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Bangalore&edname=&articleid=Ar00100&publabel=TOI |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009112600/http://lite.epaper.timesofindia.com/mobile.aspx?article=yes&pageid=1&sectid=edid=&edlabel=TOIBG&mydateHid=29-05-2010&pubname=Times+of+India+-+Bangalore&edname=&articleid=Ar00100&publabel=TOI |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 October 2011 |title=Times of India Publications |publisher=Lite.epaper.timesofindia.com |access-date=31 May 2010 }}</ref> A PCPA spokesperson, however, denied involvement in the incident, instead blaming the CPI(M) of "hatching a plot" to malign the Railway Minister and of attempting to distance the PCPA from the people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/marxists-derailed-train-to-defame-us-pcpa/116623-37-64.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531194206/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/marxists-derailed-train-to-defame-us-pcpa/116623-37-64.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 May 2010|title=Marxists derailed train to defame us: PCPA|date=30 May 2010}}</ref>

== Reaction ==
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his grief over the loss of lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://livestreamingx.com/pm-expresses-grief-over-loss-of-lives-in-mishap-involving-gyaneshwari-express-05282818.html|title=bwin必赢亚洲在线娱乐_必赢亚洲56.net_www.56.net|website=livestreamingx.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603053041/http://livestreamingx.com/pm-expresses-grief-over-loss-of-lives-in-mishap-involving-gyaneshwari-express-05282818.html|archive-date=3 June 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The government of India said it would give [[Rupee|Rs.]] 500,000 to the kin of the dead and offer jobs to family members.<ref name="NDTV">NDTV. 28 May 2010. 7:30.</ref> The government of West Bengal announced that they would bear the cost of treatment for the victims.<ref name=BBC27May2010TwentyFiveDead />

[[Finance Minister of India|Finance Minister]] [[Pranab Mukherjee]] condemned the attack,<ref name="ndtv2">NDTV. 28 May 2010, 16:45 IST.</ref> although he was seen as unusually cautious in blaming Maoists for triggering the derailment. He also appeared to deny there was a blast, in contrast to his cabinet colleague Mamata Banerjee. "I am deeply saddened by the tragedy. It appears to be a case of sabotage where a portion of the track was removed. Whether explosives were used is not yet clear."<ref>{{cite news|author=Nishit Dholabhai |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100529/jsp/nation/story_12500433.jsp |title=The Telegraph – Calcutta (Kolkata) | Nation | PC cautious on rebel role |publisher=Telegraphindia.com |date=1 March 1999 |access-date=31 May 2010 |location=Calcutta, India}}</ref> [[Ministry of Railways (India)| Railway Minister]] [[Mamata Banerjee]] rushed to the location of the accident where she said she was aware of the Maoist-declared black days and security had been increased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.oneindia.in/2010/05/28/mamatarushes-to-mishap-spot-says-railways-aware-ofma.html |title=Mamata rushes to mishap spot, says Railways aware of Maoist Black Day – Oneindia News |publisher=News.oneindia.in |date=30 October 2007 |access-date=28 May 2010}}</ref>

West Bengal Chief Minister [[Buddhadeb Bhattacharya]] condemned the attack. He said, "All our efforts have to be directed against this menace; on how the State and the country can be liberated from this threat...We will sensitise our forces and we will counter this Maoist threat. We knew they would be observing this week, but we had no idea that they would be committing this dastardly crime."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article440395.ece |title=The Hindu : News / National : Buddhadeb vows to fight Maoists |publisher=Beta.thehindu.com |date= 28 May 2010|access-date=29 May 2010 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> He also warned that "they are coming from all sides."<ref name="bizstand">{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/naxals-menace-stalks-railways/396375/ |title=Naxals menace stalks Railways |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=29 May 2010 |publisher=Business-standard.com |access-date=29 May 2010|last1=Ghoshal |first1=Devjyot }}</ref>

=== Political blame-game ===
A day after the attack the Bhattacharya and Banerjee got into a war of words that was linked to the upcoming municipal elections in the province.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/30/stories/2010053055581200.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120527073925/http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/30/stories/2010053055581200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2012 |title=Front Page : Train disaster a political conspiracy, says Mamata |date= 30 May 2010|access-date=31 May 2010 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> It was alleged that Banerjee is backing pro-Maoist groups like the PCPA in her political battle against Bhattacharya's [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|CPI-M]].<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/naxals-gain-from-cpmtmc-spat-in-west-bengal/116507-37-64.html?from=tn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601033920/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/naxals-gain-from-cpmtmc-spat-in-west-bengal/116507-37-64.html?from=tn |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 June 2010 |title=Maoists gain from CPM-TMC spat in West Bengal – Politics – Political News – ibnlive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=3 February 2010 |access-date=31 May 2010}}</ref>

<blockquote>Trinamool Congress is trying to mobilise all the anti-Left forces including the Maoists. Not just in Lalgarh but also in Nandigram and Singur where they have launched movements. In both the places, they took the help of the Maoists." [[Nirupam Sen]], Industries Minister in the West Bengal government.</blockquote>

<blockquote>"What were the people and tribals of Lalgarh looking for? They were simply looking for dignity, security and relief from abject poverty. And what did they get in return? They got the lathis and bullets as they were terrorised by the CPI-M and the police." [[Derek O'Brien (quizmaster)|Derek O'Brien]], [[Trinamool Congress|TMC spokesperson]].</blockquote>

Banerjee later called the incident a political conspiracy, while hinting at the involvement of elements of the ruling CPI (M) party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mamata-blames-political-opponents-for-derailment/116562-37-64.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602191608/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mamata-blames-political-opponents-for-derailment/116562-37-64.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 June 2010|title=Mamata blames political opponents for derailment|date=29 May 2010}}</ref>

=== Naxals ===
A spokesperson for the CPI-Maoists, Comrade Akaash, contacted the [[BBC]] and said the Naxals would investigate whether renegade factions may have been behind the attack. In regard to the Railways Ministry halting train traffic into Naxal affected areas during the night hours, Akaash said the Naxals would guarantee the safety and security of rail traffic into those regions.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/south_asia/10201300.stm | work=BBC News | title=Maoists 'promise train security' | date=1 June 2010}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of Indian rail accidents]]
* [[List of terrorist incidents involving railway systems]]
* [[Rafiganj train disaster]]
* [[Timeline of the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency]]

== References ==
{{reflist|refs=

<ref name=BBC27May2010TwentyFiveDead>{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/10178967.stm
|title=At least 25 dead in India train blast and collision
|publisher=BBC News
|date=27 May 2010
|access-date=27 May 2010
}}</ref>
<ref name=HT28May201068killed>{{cite news
|url=http://www.cidwestbengal.com/file/List%20of%20injured%20persons.pdf
|title=List of the injured persons who are admitted KGP Rly. Hospital due to incident on Howrah–Mumbai Jnaneswari Super deluxe Exp.
|publisher=CIDWestBengal.gov.in
|date=29 May 2010
|access-date=29 May 2010
}}</ref>

<ref name=IndiaExpres28May2010FifteenDead>{{cite news
|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/15-dead-gyaneshwari-express-derail-after-blast/624837/
|title=15 dead, Gyaneshwari Express derail after blast
|publisher=Indian Express
|date=28 May 2010
|access-date=27 May 2010
}}</ref>

<ref name=TheHindu30May2010Sardihatrain>{{cite news
|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article440980.ece
|title=15 dead, Gyaneshwari Express derail after blast
|publisher=Indian Express
|date=28 May 2010
|access-date=27 May 2010
|location=Chennai, India
|first=Raktima
|last=Bose
}}</ref>

}}

== External links ==
* {{Webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20121218154951/http://www.cidwestbengal.gov.in/file/Gyaneswari-Express/index.php |date=18 December 2012 |title=CID West Bengal: Photographs of the persons who died}}

{{Naxalite-Maoist insurgency}}
{{2010 railway accidents}}
{{Rail accidents}}
{{Disasters in India in 2010}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:21st-century mass murder in India]]
[[Category:2010 disasters in India]]
[[Category:Communist Party of India (Maoist)]]
[[Category:Crime in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Derailments in India]]
[[Category:2010s in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Mass murder in 2010]]
[[Category:May 2010 crimes]]
[[Category:May 2010 events in India]]
[[Category:Naxalite–Maoist insurgency]]
[[Category:Rail transport in West Bengal]]
[[Category:Railway accidents in 2010]]
[[Category:Terrorist incidents in India in 2010]]
[[Category:Train wrecks caused by sabotage]]

Jnaneswari Express train derailment - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 07:49, 14 August 2023