Samjhota Express tragedy

The POST, Sun, February,25, 2007.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

The Samjhota Express tragedy that caused the loss of 68 passengers and left many in hospitals in India has been condemned by all including the United Nations. No amount of justification of errors can be condoned. The train is symbol of India-Pakistan growing normalization. Various explanations have been advanced explaining what actually happened. Admittedly it is difficult to form a definitive opinion about the causes in terms that were responsible at this stage, yet one finds reports indicating and pointing fingers at extremist groups. Some stress that it was the work of Hindu extremists whereas there were some others who accuse the extremist groups based in Pakistan. Hopefully soon the investigation would give a clear picture and also identify the people/groups responsible for the tragedy.

Whatever may turn out to be the findings of the investigators, there seems to be some kind of unanimity of views that a major security lapse had taken place at the New Delhi. Since the tragedy took place when train was running at fairly fast speed, it is only logical to assume that the incendiary devices were placed at the New Delhi station. While it is recognized that to check the entire luggage at train stations is not an easy task, the exception could have been made in cases of special trains like the Samjhota Express.

Another aspect of this particular train that has come to the limelight is the locking of all doors just before its departure. The Pakistani officials have certainly highlighted the issue of locking of doors and its adverse consequences. Admittedly this train carries international passengers and apprehension of someone slipping out is comprehensible but locking the doors is certainly out of order. All over the world there are international trains running from one country to another and the door are shut seconds before the departure but there are always provision for emergency exits. The emergency exits are meant to cater for this kind of unforeseen development. The Indian Railway authorities need to equip trains with such exits. It was reported in the Newspapers that the passenger caught in the inferno tried their best to get out but because lack of exit facilities, many lost their life. Besides, the windows of train are also sealed with iron bars. This, of course, makes it virtually impossible for passengers to escape in such an undesired eventuality.

This is probably the first time that the reactions of the two governments have been different than the past. The past is full of examples when similar tragedy took place in India, some official immediately put the blame either on Pakistan or groups based in Pakistan. The two governments did not trade quick accusations this time and both leaders demonstrated mature reactions. Such   attitudes always tend to lend strength to the ongoing peace process.

Pakistan’s National Assembly debated the tragedy and finally suggested for joint investigation. This is not the first time that the idea of joint investigation has surfaced. In the wake of Mumbai blasts Pakistan suggested to conduct joint investigation which the Indians refused. It also need to be mentioned that at the last NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) Summit, the leaders of India and Pakistan agreed to develop some kind of joint mechanism with view to deal with situations that are the product of periodic developments and terrorist activities.

However the Indian Foreign Minister recently expressed in a news conference the bombing of New Delhi-Attari special train would be probed according to the law of the land and the findings would be shared with Islamabad when the officials of the joint anti-terror mechanism of the two countries meet in Islamabad on March 6, 2007. The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is reported to have stressed that he intends to get to the bottom of this criminal act.

Undoubtedly it would have been a good opportunity if the Indians had agreed to conduct a joint probe along with their Pakistani counterparts especially in the light a unanimous parliamentary resolution which called for such a pursuit. The inability of the Indians to adhere to the thinking of Pakistani parliamentarians does not augur well. One can understand that many Indians may be thinking that time has not yet come for joint investigation. On one hand we often come across the argument that the parliament is most important body and its resolutions should be accorded utmost respect but on the other when an opportunity comes to undertake joint investigation, somehow it is just brushed aside. This kind of attitude could easily cause unnecessary adverse impact on the ongoing peace process.

Already some newspapers are highlighting not only the security lapses at New Delhi station but also the handling of the aftermath and the Indian management. It would not be too far fetched to assume that more and more negative expressions may appear regarding the refusal for a joint investigation. Some may even interpret as a snub even if it is not intended. After all it was a unanimous resolution which is somewhat a rare development in Pakistan’s parliament.   

Given the nature of the ongoing peace process and the recent agreement on nuclear risk reduction, it was expected that even the notion of joint investigation would be put to practice. In any case the assurance by the Indians that the findings would be shared with Pakistan on March 6^th meeting is also a good omen. However skepticism exists that whether or not the Indians would be able to complete their investigation by that date. Perhaps that is why some observers thought that a better course of action would have the joint investigation.

Undoubtedly the statements of the main leaders reflected not just signs of maturity but also added to the strengthening of the peace process. It is not too difficult to assume that there exist some people and groups who would use all means to derail the peace process. However one need not to stress over and over again that if the process remains on track for few years, it tends to gain the desired level of strength. With the passage of every year the peace process is moving toward the status of what has been already referred by the leaders the much desired ‘irreversibility’.

The killing of innocent civilians in any case is a condemnable act and efforts should be directed jointly, if possible, to uncover the culprits involved in such despicable acts. Not only both India and Pakistan are members of the International Coalition to combat terrorism but a special basket in the peace process is also focusing on curbing terrorism in this region. In this connection the public of both countries also need to extend all kinds of cooperation in order to facilitate the work of governments.

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.