Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the Amritsar train accident and said a report will be submitted in four weeks.

Singh met the injured in hospital and also spoke to the families of those killed.

At least 61 people were killed on Friday evening after a crowd of Dussehra revellers that had spilled on to railway tracks while watching the burning of a Ravan effigy was run over by a train near Joda Phatak.

The chief minister’s move came on a day scores of people staged a sit-in on railway tracks in Amritsar, demanding action against erring officials and the train driver and seeking adequate compensation for the victims.

The protesters raised slogans against the state government and demanded action against the train driver.

One of the protesters alleged the train passed through the area at high speed and that the driver did not slow down despite the presence of a large crowd.

Later, police chased away the protesters when they tried to move towards residential areas from the railway tracks.

Police have barricaded the area to prevent the protesters from reassembling.

“Why did the government not ensure proper security arrangements at the time of the Dussehra festival? Why was such a function allowed to take place near the railway tracks?” Sujit Singh, one of protesters, said.

The Amritsar Municipal Corporation, however, said on Saturday that no permission had been granted to hold Dussehra celebrations on the Dhobi ghat ground.

“Nobody was given the permission for organising the Dussehra event. Moreover, nobody had applied for the permission with the Amritsar Municipal Corporation,” municipal corporation commissioner Sonali Giri said.

Punjab police personnel at the accident site on Saturday. PTI

Amarinder Singh on Friday announced immediate ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed.

Some protesters blocked the GT Road near the train accident site. They also demanded government jobs for the relatives of those killed.

A resident blamed Navjot Kaur Sidhu, the wife of Punjab minister Navjot Sidhu who represents the area in the Assembly, for the tragedy.

“The tragic incident could have been averted, had Navjot Kaur Sidhu turned up at the venue on time and had the function not been delayed,” said Deepak, who works as a painter.

He said that every year, the effigy of Ravan is burnt between 5.30 pm and 6 pm, but this year, it could not happen as Navjot Kaur Sidhu, who was the chief guest at the event, “got late”. The effigy was burnt around 7 pm. “Because of darkness, the tragedy occurred,” he added.

Amrinder Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu talk to reporters after visiting Guru Nanak Hospital in Amritsar on Saturday. PTI

Condolences poured in as the world woke up to the tragedy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered condolences to President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and conveyed his support to families of the victims of the train accident. “I offer my deepest sympathies over tragic consequences of an accident on railways in the Punjab state. I ask to convey my words of sympathy and support to families and friends of the killed people and to wish the soonest recovery to those injured,” Putin said, according to the Russian embassy.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was 'saddened' to hear about the accident.

UN chief Antonio Guterres termed the incident as “tragic”. He tweeted: “My heart goes to all in Amritsar following Friday's tragic accident. Earlier this month, I was honoured to visit the Golden Temple and witnessed the warmth and generosity of the people. My deepest condolences to those who have lost family and loved ones.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, too, tweeted his condolences, saying: “My thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one in the tragic train crash in Amritsar, India. Canadians are keeping you in our hearts tonight & wishing all those injured a full recovery.”

A state mourning has been declared for Saturday, and all offices and educational institutions remain closed in the state.

(Written with PTI reports)