Imphal, Dec 21: Seven persons, including five school children, were killed and 40 others injured when a bus met with an accident near Leimatak in between Bishnupur and Khoupum on Wednesday.
Governor La Ganesan, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, ministers, civil societies, and students' bodies expressed shock and grief over the accident. Most of the injured were moved to different hospitals in Imphal.
He also visited the mortuary of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) where the dead bodies were kept and consoled the families of deceased persons. N Biren Singh later rushed to the hospitals and met the victims.
He said some people uploaded about the accident on social media which enabled the government to launch a rescue operation.
Biren said five students, a warden and a teacher died in the accident. Biren Singh said that the bus, which met the accident, was carrying 47 persons, including students and staff of Thambalnu Higher Secondary School, Yairipok Top Chingtha for an annual study tour to Khoupum.
He informed that the State Government after discussion amongst Cabinet Ministers had decided to provide ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs 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 injuries respectively, he added.
The CM said that the State Government had also decided to bear the expenses of treatment of the injured persons being admitted at different hospitals.
To avoid such incidents in future, N. Biren 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 tours or excursions during the winter season, especially 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 10th January 2023 to avoid any untoward incidents.
The CM 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 speeds 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.
La. Ganesan, Governor said he was deeply shocked to hear the sad news of a bus accident of an Annual Educational Excursion of Thambalnu Higher Secondary School, Yairipok, Imphal East. (UNI)