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ER apologises for advertisement, to release corrected version on Friday

"Our objective in releasing the advertisement was to urge the flood-affected people not to resist the restoration work carried out by the railways. It was interpreted in some other manner. We are sorry for the misunderstanding," he told a press conference, adding that ER would release a 'corrected appeal' on Friday.

The ER general manager said he met state Chief Secretary Manish Gupta and apprised him that the state government was co-operating with the railways in its restoration work.

"For example nearly 4,000 villagers squatted on the tracks during restoration work at Swadhinpur (in Birbhum district). We informed the district administration and it promptly cleared the squatters," he said.

Earlier in the day, Basu took serious exception to the ad and came down heavily on ER and Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, describing her as a 'violent woman' and a 'liar'.

"The ad was fabricated to appease the railway minister and with her full consent," Communist Party of India (Marxist) Member of Parliament Somnath Chatterjee said after meeting Basu.

The ad, which appeared in most dailies, reads: "We understand your sentiments and resentment for relief not having been provided to you by the state government, but appeal to you not to hamper railway efforts/work for restoration of damaged rail links as it will affect lakhs of your brothers similarly affected by the floods."

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