‘Negligence will not be tolerated’: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari vows strict action after Murshidabad train tragedy
Times of India | 17 July 2026
KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday promised the “strictest possible action” against those responsible for the Murshidabad train tragedy that claimed three lives, including those of two school students, while asserting that negligence in the discharge of duty would not be tolerated.
The assurance came hours after a passenger train rammed into a pool car at an open level crossing near Karna Subarna station on the Eastern Railway’s Azimganj-Katwa section in Murshidabad district.
The collision killed two school students and a cyclist, while five others sustained injuries.
In a post on X, the chief minister said a detailed investigation would be conducted into the circumstances leading to the accident.
“Negligence will not be tolerated. A thorough investigation into the circumstances of this incident will be conducted, and I assure the people of West Bengal that the strictest possible action will be taken against those found responsible,” Adhikari said.
He added that the state police had arrested the railway gateman in connection with the incident.
The chief minister said Murshidabad district magistrate and superintendent of police had been stationed at the accident site since morning and were overseeing relief and rescue operations.
Expressing condolences to the victims’ families, Adhikari wrote, “My heart goes out to the families, especially the parents of the young students who lost their lives. There are no words to ease such profound pain and the entire state stands with the bereaved families during this dark hour.”
He also said the government had directed the administration to extend all possible assistance to those affected by the tragedy.
According to Adhikari, state minister Gouri Sankar Ghosh visited the hospital where the injured were undergoing treatment and was monitoring the situation.
"We are ensuring that the best medical care is provided to those undergoing treatment," he said, adding that state Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee was ensuring that the injured receive the best possible treatment at Baharampur Medical College and Hospital.