Month on, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann vows justice in Samana school tragedy
Patiala: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Saturday assured justice to the families of six schoolchildren who were killed in a road accident last month.
He promised action against those responsible for the tragedy, including anyone who tried to delay or obstruct investigation.
Speaking to the media after consoling the grieving families in Samana, Mann described the incident as an "irreparable loss" and said the state govt stood firmly with the victims' families. "Those responsible, no matter how influential, will not be spared. Even if any official or MLA is found guilty of sheltering the accused, they will face strict punishment," he stated.
The accident occurred on May 7, when a school van collided head-on with an overloaded tipper truck.
Five children, aged between 6 and 12, and the 45-year-old driver died on the spot, while a sixth child succumbed the next day. Six more children remain hospitalised.
So far, 13 arrests were made, including the truck driver and owner. Ten others were booked for allegedly helping the main accused. One suspect, Randhir Singh, remains absconding.
Amid public anger, Mann announced a crackdown on illegal mining and overloaded vehicles across Punjab.
He also unveiled several development measures: the Samana–Patran road will be widened to four lanes, a memorial park will be built in honour of the deceased children, and Samana's govt hospital will be upgraded.
A fleet of seven new ambulances will also be deployed in the region.
Under-fire AAP MLA absent
Political tension surrounded the visit, with speculation of party action against former minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra, who was accused by protestors of protecting the accused and having links to truck operations.
Jouramajra, who was absent from the CM's visit, denied the allegations, saying he was out of station and was not involved in the case.
Former Congress MLA Rajinder Singh accompanied the chief minister during the meeting, drawing attention to his presence amid the ongoing crisis, although he had been joining protestors after the accident occurred.
Public anger simmers
Public anger continued to simmer over the accident. On Saturday, families and locals blocked the Patiala-Samana road for four hours, demanding swift arrests. On Friday, deputy commissioner Preeti Yadav faced protests during her visit to Samana. Grieving parents performed a symbolic "aarti" to mock her delayed appearance and demanded accountability. Yadav, however, stated she met the families at the hospital soon after the tragedy.
Earlier, on May 30, families staged a massive protest and blocked the Samana–Patiala Road at Bhakhra Bridge, bringing the town to a standstill.
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