Buddha, PC okay with CID probe in train attack: CPM

NEW DELHI: In a development that could anger railway minister Mamata Banerjee, CPM on Tuesday claimed that home minister P Chidambaram and West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee have agreed against involving the CBI in the Gyaneshwari Express train attack probe.

CPM polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury told the media that the Centre was in agreement with the state government’s view that the CID probe should not be interrupted at this juncture. This statement came barely an hour after Ms Banerjee repeated her demand for a central probe into the incident.

“The home minister held a discussion with the West Bengal chief minister on Monday. Buddhadeb told him the CID was inquiring into it and has almost cracked the case and if the case is handed over to the CBI, it will delay the investigation. Since the investigation was already in the advanced stage, both of them concurred to wait till the report was submitted,” Mr Yechury said.

But Ms Banerjee, who is refusing to blame the Maoists for the train attack, is still hopeful of the Centre agreeing to her demand for an “independent” probe. “This is our government. We will decide what to do and what not to do. I think the passengers’ life is more important. More than 150 people have been killed. This is a heinous crime. Whoever is the culprit should be booked. There will be no compromise with the safety and security of passengers. I am very serious about it, and I won’t leave any stone unturned,” she said.