India News

Himachal Pradesh: 27 school children among 30 killed in accident

Published

8 years ago

April 10, 2018

Himachal Pradesh: 27 school children among 30 killed in accident

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In a shocking accident at least 30 people, including 27 school children, were killed after a bus skidded off the road and rolled down deep into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh on Monday. Twelve injured passengers were rushed to the hospital and are in critical condition.

Santosh Patyal, a senior local police official said, “The bus rolled into a 200ft-deep gorge, killing 27 schoolchildren, two teachers and the driver. My first priority was to save lives. We will now investigate the reasons for the accident.” The accident occurred in Nurpur area of Kangra district.

The police official further said, “Prima facie, negligent driving and over-speeding are the main reasons for the accident.”

According to reports most of the victims were in the age of 10 to 12 years. Forty-five students of Wazir Ram Singh Pathania Memorial Public School were returning home when the bus fell into the 100-feet deep gorge.

The accident site is 10 kms away from the school in Gurchal and about 100 kms form district headquarters at Dharamsala. The ill-fated bus was on its way to drop children back to their homes.

Teams of local administration and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were involved in the rescue. Local villagers had reportedly begun rescue operation even before officials could reach the spot.

Kangra SP Santosh Patial said that the impact of the accident was such that much of the vehicle was crushed. “We had to cut open the body of the bus to pull out the victims and survivors. We have been able to account for 38 people on the bus. As a precaution, we are making sure no one fell out at the time of the accident.”

Principal of the school, Sunita Kumari, said the bus was carrying students of all standards – from nursery to class 10. “The bus had been inspected by all the authorities and had met all norms,” she said.

According to a newspaper report, one of the injured student of the ill feted bus Ranbir Singh crawled back on the road and informed a man passing by on a motorcycle about the accident. The boy also alerted a shopkeeper about 150 m away on the Malakwal-Symbly link leading to Chamba.

It was this alert that helped rescuers reach the spot within the next 30 minutes, said police and local residents.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President Venkaiya Naidu, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Governor Acharya Devvrat and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda have condoled the deaths. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announced an immediate relief of Rs 500,000 to the next of kin of each deceased.

The death toll could rise as some students were still trapped in the mangled bus even as the rescue operation is on, police added. Local villagers had begun rescue operation even before officials could reach the spot, eyewitnesses said.

On an average, 12 persons die in road accidents in Himachal Pradesh every day. The state witnessed in total around 29,555 road accidents across the state from 2005 to 2015.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Gandhi Parivar vs Sangh Parivar, Revanth Reddy’s remark sparks BJP attack

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks contrasting the Gandhi Parivar with the Sangh Parivar triggered a BJP response accusing Congress of prioritising the Gandhi family.

Published

2 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

Published

9 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

India News

Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

22 hours ago

September 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.