Punjab Newsline | Patiala
Two Class 12 students were killed after a private school bus collided with their motorcycle near village Khanewal on the Patran–Jakhal road on Thursday morning, triggering protests by angry villagers who blocked traffic and demanded strict action against the school management and the bus driver.
The deceased were identified as Mohit Kumar and Prince Kumar, both around 18 years old and residents of Hariyau Kalan village. They were travelling by motorcycle to attend classes at Government Senior Secondary School, Banga, in neighbouring Sangrur district, when the accident occurred around 8 a.m.
According to eyewitnesses, a private school bus belonging to a school in Hamirgarh village near Moonak hit the motorcycle head-on and dragged the students for nearly 100 feet. Mohit died on the spot, while Prince succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Senior police officials, including Patran DSP Gurdeep Singh Sandhu and Station House Officer Inspector Gagandeep Singh, reached the spot with a police team and assured the families that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible. However, protesters insisted that action should be taken not only against the driver but also against the school management.
Following the registration of a case as demanded by the protesters, the bodies were sent to Civil Hospital, Samana for post-mortem examination.
Family members alleged that the 25-seater school bus was carrying about 45 students, accusing the school of serious negligence and violation of safety norms.
Questions Raised Over Hospital Facilities
Congress leaders Amarjit Singh Ghagga and Palwinder Kaur Hariyau visited the bereaved families and expressed condolences. They also criticised the condition of Government Hospital, Patran, alleging that despite the bodies reaching the hospital in the morning, freezer facilities were not made available until late afternoon, forcing authorities to arrange a freezer from another institution.
Mohit Was His Parents’ Only Son
Mohit was the only son of his parents, and his death has left the family devastated.
Inspector Gagandeep Singh said that a case has been registered against the school management and the bus driver on the basis of statements given by the victims’ families. He added that the exact cause of the accident is under investigation.
Protest Continues for Driver’s Arrest
Residents of Khanewal, Hariyau Khurd, and Hariyau Kalan continued their sit-in protest till Thursday evening, stating that they would not end the dharna until the absconding bus driver is arrested.
Protesters alleged that buses belonging to the school are old and poorly maintained, and are merely repainted before being put back on the road. They further claimed that the buses do not comply with government-prescribed safety standards.
Demand for Senior Secondary School and Better Transport
Villagers said that the government school in their village offers classes only up to Class 10, forcing students to travel to Banga village or Patran town for higher secondary education. They claimed that repeated demands to upgrade the school to senior secondary level have remained unanswered.
