Dhanbad Mumbai Train Flag-Off: Mayor's Invitation Cancelled Amid Security Concerns

Dhanbad: Concerns over passenger convenience and security led to cancellation of the invitation to Dhanbad mayor Sanjeev Singh for the Dhanbad-Mumbai weekly train flag-off ceremony on April 8, an RTI reply by the railways to a query from BJP’s Mukesh Pandey has revealed.The train was flagged off by Dhanbad BJP MP Dulu Mahto. However, the absence of Singh and his wife and Jharia MLA, Ragini Singh, from the ceremony triggered reactions. The railways said that intelligence inputs suggested a large number of supporters were likely to accompany the mayor to the venue. To avoid any untoward incident, discussions were held with all dignitaries, except the MP and MLA, and that those consulted agreed not to attend the event. It also said a letter cancelling the invitation was later issued “under the orders of the competent authority”. Two railway officials later visited Singh’s residence and expressed regret.Pandey questioned how a junior railway official could cancel an invitation issued by senior authorities and called the move “against established rules”. He said he would raise the matter before the railway ministry.