Title - ‘Manaf’s family to file compensation suit at Railway Claims Tribunal’

Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Manager Rakesh Agarwal said that the family of M Manaf, who was injured after the service pistol of an RPF constable accidentally went off at the Central Railway Station, has agreed to file a compensation suit at the Railway Claims Tribunal since it is the only option to get due compensation as per the rules.Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Agarwal said that he called on the family of Manaf at the hospital on Monday and spoke about the compensation norms to which they agreed. “The proforma for the compensation was handed over to the family. It was a mistake on the part of our man and we will present the facts before the tribunal. The State Government also agreed to give legal support to the family. A discussion on this regard was held with Minister-in-charge of Railways Aryadan Mohammed,”Agarwal  said.On Sunday, Aryadan Mohammed had said that the State Government would foot the hospital bill of Manaf, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. However, Agarwal denied the allegation that  there was delay in taking Manaf to the hospital after the incident.“We have conducted a detailed enquiry into the incident. The firing incident took place at 7. 30 p m and Manaf was taken to the hospital by 7.36 p m. The RPF vehicle was not at the station and the delay was to arrange a vehicle and clear the crowd that gathered at the spot,” he said.

He also said that in order to avoid such incidents in future, the cash office and armoury room would be shifted from the present location to a place less frequented by passengers. Also, the bulk collection of cash from the reservation counters has been put off and the bank will collect the cash from the reservation counters.