At least seven schoolchildren died and 27 others were injured when a portion of the ceiling of a government school collapsed in the Jhalawar district of Rajasthan on Friday morning.
(Photo source: IANS)
At least seven schoolchildren died and 27 others were injured when a portion of the ceiling of a government school collapsed in the Jhalawar district of Rajasthan on Friday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and former CMs Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje expressed grief over the tragic incident at Piplod village in the Manoharpur Thana region. They exhorted the authorities to ensure all possible relief and medical care for the injured.
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“The mishap at a school in Jhalawar, Rajasthan, is tragic and deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the affected students and their families in this difficult hour. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected,” PM Modi said in a tweet offering condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap.
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The mishap occurred at the Piplodi Government School during the assembly for morning prayers around 07:30 AM, burying several students and teachers under debris. Around 35 – 40 students and teachers were attending the prayer assembly. Efforts to rescue the children and teachers were made immediately by onlookers and villagers. Later, police and rescuers joined in.
A police spokesman, quoting district police and hospital sources, said seven children, including two girls, were killed and 27 others were injured. The deceased children, aged 4 years, were from Manohar Thana, while three, in the age group of 7 to 14 years, were from Jhalawar.
The 12 injured were being treated at the Jhalawar District Hospital, while nine were admitted at a hospital in Manohar Thana. Six injured were discharged after the first aid, the spokesman said, adding four children required surgical intervention.
Dismayed and shocked villagers and families of the affected children staged a dharna and blocked traffic at the Guradi Square near Piplodi. They demanded stringent action against the guilty and compensation to the families of deceased and injured students.
Chief Minister Sharma, sad and shocked at the tragic incident, has taken serious exception to the apathy and carelessness among school staff over safety- and security-related issues.
Immediately after receiving the report of the incident, the CM swung into action. He spoke to Education Minister Madan Dilawar and Jhalawar Collector, among other district officials, and asked them to make every effort to save lives and provide the best possible medical treatment and other needed facilities to the injured.
He also directed Minister Dilawar to rush to Piplodi to supervise rescue and relief work. Chief Minister Sharma also instantly decided to review the situation via video conferencing with district collectors, the condition of school buildings in all districts of the state, and measures for safety and security in schools.
ON CM’s instructions, the Piplodi school staff, including all five teachers, were suspended, and the principal was also removed from the post and is awaiting posting order (APO).
A security audit of all school buildings is also being contemplated, following instructions from the Chief Minister, sources said.
LoP Lok Sabha Gandhi also called up the Congress cadres to actively help the authorities in the relief and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission also took cognisance of the incident and issued notices, seeking a report from the state government education authorities, the police, and other authorities concerned.
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