Four children were burnt alive on Saturday while eight others were rescued after the school van of a private school caught fire in Longowal town of Punjab’s Sangrur. The victims included around a three-year-old girl, who was attending her first day at school.
Twelve children were returning from school in the mini-van when the blaze occurred on the Longowal-Sidsamachar road, a senior official said.
“Today, early afternoon, a school van of Simran Public School, Longowal, caught fire while carrying 12 children from school. While eight children were rescued and are safe, four children could not be saved,” Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori told The Hindu.
“Preliminary inquiry indicates that the van was in condemned condition and was being run illegally as per the report of District Transport Officer (DTO). If the DTO or any official of his office is found guilty, he will be charge-sheeted,” he said.
Police said the van was an 1990’s model fitted with an LPG kit and was unfit to run on the road. The driver of the van fled the spot after the van caught fire, they said. Punjab Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla, who is also Sangrur MLA, announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the victims and said the school had purchased a “very old van” only on Friday and began operating it the next day.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident.
On Twitter Capt. Amarinder said, “Very sad to learn of the news from Sangrur ... DC and SSP Sangrur are on the spot and I have ordered a magisterial enquiry. Guilty will be strictly punished.”
AAP MLA and Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Harpal Singh Cheema demanded strict action against the school and civil administration. “My condolence with the families of deceased children. I highly condemn the usage of LPG powered school van that has caused this havoc. Strict action needed against school and civil administration,” he tweeted.
(With PTI inputs)
