At least 8 killed, several injured as school bus overturns in Manipur

December 22, 2022 29 Views No Comment

Newmai News Network
Imphal | December 21

At least eight persons were killed and several others injured when a bus carrying students on study tour met with an accident between Noney district and Bishnupur district.

The accident occurred around 10 am on December 21 near Longsai Tubung village under Khoupum subdivision in Noney district. The exact cause of the accident is to be ascertained.

Reports said that the bus was carrying 47 persons, including students and staff of Thambalnu Higher Secondary School, Yairipok Top Chingtha, Thoubal district of Manipur for an annual study tour to Khoupum in Noney district.

Five of them reportedly died on the spot while two succumbed to injuries on the way to hospitals in Imphal. Further around 40 students, some in critical condition, were injured in the accident.

The deceased included students, a warden and a teacher.

Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh expressed his condolences over the demise of people in the unfortunate accident.

Briefing the media persons in the evening at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Imphal regarding the accident, Singh said that informed that the State Government after discussion amongst cabinet ministers had taken a decision to provide ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the family of deceased persons.

Financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 will be provided to the seriously injured and those with minor injury respectively, he added.

The Chief Minister informed that State Government had also taken the decision to bear the expenses of treatment of the injured persons being admitted at different hospitals.

Meanwhile, appreciating the swift response of villagers near the accident site to rescue the victims, Singh said that the Government had been able to initiate rescue action timely as the villagers swiftly uploaded about the accident on social media.

The injured persons were brought to the Bishnupur district hospital at first, after which they were taken to hospitals in Imphal including Raj Medicity, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences and Advanced Hospital, he added.

School excursion banned till January 10

Meanwhile, to avoid such incidents in future, Singh cautioned the public to take utmost care while driving along hill areas, as the visibility becomes lower during the winter season due to foggy weather.

Appealing the schools to avoid study tour or excursion during winter season specially in December and January, he informed that the Education Department has today issued an order directing all the principals/headmasters/ headmistresses of all Government/Government Aided/Private Unaided Schools in the State not to organise school excursions till January 10, 2023 to avoid any untoward incidents.

Singh also urged all the drivers of passenger vehicles plying in the State not to drive beyond the speed limit, adding that passenger vehicles could be seen driving at high speed to get passengers.

Speaking on many school vans carrying students beyond capacity, he informed that verification will be initiated to check such school vans and action will be taken up against those drivers carrying students beyond capacity like cancelling of Driving Licence.

Action will also be taken up against those schools where such van drivers are transporting students, he added.

Stressing the need to provide awareness on rules on driving passenger vehicles to avoid any untoward incident, he informed that the Transport Department will organise a conference of all drivers of the State, to make them aware about dos and don’ts of driving.

He also expressed his deepest condolences and shared grief with the bereaved family and further appealed to the public to follow traffic rules while driving, to avoid road accidents.

Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/at-least-8-killed-several-injured-as-school-bus-overturns-in-manipur