Model Code of Conduct goes for a toss.
Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
In a road accident on Sunday morning near Bigrabagh in Khatima town of district Udham Singh Nagar, a cement-laden truck collided with a school bus, resulting in both vehicles overturning by the roadside. The impact of the collision caused screams of panic among the students of Pradhan mantri Kaushal Vikas Kendra (Skill Development Centre) on board. The collision left over two dozen people injured, including more than twenty-two students and a teacher. The truck driver was also trapped under cement blocks, requiring a challenging rescue effort.
Upon receiving the news, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami promptly visited the hospital to inquire about the incident and the condition of the injured. He said, “I am deeply saddened by this unfortunate accident. Our priority is ensuring the best medical care for the injured.”
Local authorities, including Tehsildar Himanshu Joshi and Patwari Navneet Chauhan, along with the police, reached the accident site immediately. With the assistance of locals, the injured were swiftly transported to Civil Hospital in 108 ambulances. Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent, BP Singh, said, “A total of twenty injured individuals have been admitted to Civil Hospital. Currently, all patients are stable, and we continue to monitor their health closely.”
Notably, the bus carrying students of skill centre were going to the CM’s public meeting organized on Sunday for BJP’s MP candidate for candidate for Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar seat Ajay Bhatt.
In response to the incident, Congress MLA from Khatima and Deputy Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Bhuvan Kapri, said, “A bus carrying children to the Chief Minister’s meeting place in Khatima Chatiya Farm collided with a truck near Bigrabagh intersection. This collision resulted in the overturning of the bus, causing injuries to 22 children. The incident is deeply concerning and highlights the grave risks involved in using minors for political events. The safety and well-being of our children must be prioritized above all else. I have personally matched the bus’s registration number, UK 06 PA 0250, with the list of buses deployed for the CM’s program. This bus was indeed listed as part of the convoy headed to the event. I will raise this alarming issue in the Legislative Assembly to ensure that necessary measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future”. He also demanded a government help of Rs 50 thousand for each injured.
Kapri further said that the bus belonged to Nosegay Public School and it is on the list (copy of which is with Himalaya Harbinger) of 103 buses ferrying people for the CM’s rally.
While there were conflicting reports regarding the bus’s destination, Khatima’s Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) and the returning officer Ravindra Singh Bisht confirmed the incident and said, “I was on duty at the CM’s program, and I can confirm that the bus was not headed to the public meeting. The children were on an outing.”
Station House Officer of Khatima police, Manohar Singh Dasauni echoed a similar sentiment, acknowledging the presence of minors on the bus but emphasizing uncertainty regarding their destination.
