NEW DELHI: Eyewitnesses recounted horror as at least 50 people were mowed by a train during Dussehra celebrations on Friday night near Chouri Bazaar in Amritsar .

The people were in shock and disbelief as they narrated the incident. "The driver didn't blow the horn," alleged one of the witnesses.

Another women was inconsolable as she said her son has been killed in the accident.

"The administration and the Dussehra committee are at fault, they should have raised an alarm when the train was approaching, they should have made sure that the train halts or slows down," said another witness.

On the other hand, another eyewitness at the Amritsar accident site alleged that the event was organised by the Congress party without seeking due clearances.

"Congress had organised Dussehra celebrations here without permission. Navjot Singh Sidhu 's wife was the chief guest at the celebrations and she continued to give a speech as people were struck down by the train," the eyewitness was quoted saying by the news agency ANI.

Officials on the ground emphasised circumstantial events.

As the effigy was lit and the fireworks went off, a section of the crowd started retreating towards the tracks where a large number of people were already standing to watch the event, officials said.

However, two trains arrived from the opposite direction at the same time giving little opportunity to people to escape, they said.

The speeding Jalandhar Express mowed down at least 50 revellers as it crushed and blew away anybody who came in its way. At least 300 people were at the spot watching ' Ravana dahan' at a ground near the tracks.

