While the entire world has mourned the terrible Odisha train tragedy that occurred at Bahanga station in the Balasore district of Odisha on Friday evening. In this accident, as many as 275 people have lost their lives and at least 1175 people have been injured.
Meanwhile a claim is going viral om social media where users are accusing a Muslim station master by the name of “Sharif” for fleeing away after the incident.
A user on twitter by the name of JP Thailand writes, “Chakradhar Jha Heard that the station master named “Sharif” has gone missing after the inquiry was ordered? That’s the problem with this community.”(English Translation)
Fact Check:
To investigate the viral claim DFRAC team did a keyword search on Google and found that the name that is yet coming forward is SB Mohantay who is being inquired by the police, as he was the incharge when the fatal accident took place.
Further, we found a report by a newssite ‘Kalinga Tv’ with the headline, “Odisha Train Accident: Interrogation of Bahanaga Station Master underway.”
According to the report,”Station Master SB Mohanty was in charge when the fatal accident occurred. He is being interrogated about the status of the signal and what changes were made, said reliable sources. Similarly, a public hearing on behalf of the commissioner will be done today. Local people have been asked to give their opinion.
Further, Bahanaga Assistant Station Master SB Mohanty, who was on duty, fled from the spot after the train accident took place. Meanwhile, a case regarding the train accident has been registered at the Balasore GRP Police station.
Conclusion:
As of now there is no mention of the name ‘Sharif’ as the station master in any of the media reports related to Odisha train accident.
The station master whose name is coming forward is ‘SB Mohanty who is being interrogated by the police.
Therefore there is no communal angle involved as stated by social media user. Hence, the claim is Misleading.
