Mamata Banerjee does not rule out sabotage in Kolkata metro derailment

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee today did not rule out sabotage in the derailment of two coaches of the metro rail near Central station in Kolkata and said an inquiry would be held.

"At times, accidents are created in a planned way. Whether it was an accident or otherwise will be specifically probed. I am trying to ascertain who are behind it," Banerjee told reporters.

Describing the derailment as "a small and unfortunate incident" the railway minister told a questioner "Planes crash at times, but will people stop boarding aircraft in future? Don't spread panic. Altogether 17,000 trains run across the country each day."

She alleged that the CPI(M) stalled trains with banana leaves, did not allow doors of metro trains to close and was up to "other mischief". "When assembly elections are near, the CPI(M) will engage in such mischief."

Asked to comment on CPI(M)'s criticism of her handling of the underground railway, Banerjee said, "The West Bengal government itself has derailed. Miscreants are everywhere."