Train fire: 2 bodies yet to be identified

More then a month after a fire broke out in the Dehradun Express, which killed nine commuters near Dahanu station on January 8, family members of two missing passengers are still waiting for results of DNA tests so that the remains of two bodies lying unclaimed can be identified. Though the bodies are still to be identified through DNA, circumstances made relatives of two missing passengers believe that they are Sakina Shabbir R.C. Wala (57) and Zamir Ahmed (60) who were travelling in the ill-fated bogie.

Senior police inspector Pramod Dawde of Palghar government railway police (GRP) confirmed that the first DNA test performed on charred bones was inconclusive and bones of some other parts of bodies were again sent to the Kalina FSL. “We could only find charred bones in the coach, and two persons are still missing, but we cannot come to any conclusion till the DNA reports is made available,” he said. He added that investigation is still underway and the cause of fire is yet to be ascertained.

On the other hand, Sakina’s nephew Murtuza R.C. Wala, who was travelling with her, said, “If we get any news about any missing lady being found somewhere, we crosscheck it, but till now, we have not found her. Since remains of only two bodies recovered in the coach are lying in JJ Hospital, and only two families have come forward to claim them, we strongly believe that they are the bodies of the two missing persons only.”

Mohammed Shamshad, son-in-law of Zamir Ahmed (60) said, “We are not getting any satisfactory answers from investigating agency, but we have come to know that remains of two bodies were again sent for forensic tests as the first test did not yield any result. Though we will keep hope till DNA test proves otherwise, since only two persons are still missing, we have strong reasons to believe that we have lost our beloved father. Now, we are waiting to get the remains to perform his last rituals.”

Thursday 20 February 2014

http://www.asianage.com/mumbai/train-fire-2-bodies-yet-be-identified-786