4 kids charred to death as school van catches fire
PUNJAB CM ANNOUNCES AN EX GRATIA PAYMENT OF ~7.25L EACH TO THE FAMILIES OF VICTIMS
SANGRUR: Four children were burnt alive when their school van caught fire at Longowal village, around 25 km from Sangrur, on Saturday. The van, which was 20 years old, was carrying 12 students from Simran Public School in Longowal to the town when the fire broke out.
Eight children were rescued by the van driver and a 13-year old student, Amandeep Kaur, who was also in the van. The victims were identified as Simranjit Singh (5), Kamalpreet Kaur (5), Navjot Kaur(3) and Aradhiya (6), all from Pindi Amar Singh Wala, Peer Khana Road, Longowal.
Farmers and labourers assembled at the site and held a protest, demanding the arrest of the school owner and van driver.
Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident and announced an ex gratia payment of ~7.25 lakh each to the families of the victims.“very sad to learn of the news from Sangrur where we lost 4 children because their school van caught fire. Injured have been rushed to the hospital. DC and SSP Sangrur are on the spot and I have ordered a magisterial enquiry. Guilty will be strictly punished,” he tweeted.
The police arrested the school owner and principal Lakhwinder Singh and driver Dalvir Singh.
A case under Section 304 of the IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) has been registered against the school principal, its management and the owner and driver of the van, Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori was quoted as saying by news agency PTI .
Police sources said the van was of 1990’s petrol model and was unfit to run on the road. “Preliminary inquiry indicates that the van was in condemned condition and was being run illegally as per a report of the District Transport Officer. If the DTO or any official of his office is found guilty he will be chargesheeted,” said Thori.
(With agency inputs)