Ramgarh, Jharkhand: A tragic road accident in the Gola area of Ramgarh district on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of four people, including three schoolchildren and an auto rickshaw driver. The accident occurred when an LP truck loaded with potatoes collided with an auto rickshaw transporting children to school. The incident, which took place near the Gola Tirla turn on the Ramgarh-Bokaro road, has sparked outrage among villagers, who have blocked the road in protest.
Accident Details
The collision killed three children and the auto driver on the spot, while 11 others, including the truck driver, sustained injuries. The injured were rushed to the Community Health Center, and their condition is being closely monitored. The children, aged between 5 and 12, were on their way to Goodwill Mission School, Tirla, when the truck crushed their auto.
Violation of Government Orders
Jharkhand is currently experiencing intense cold weather, prompting the state government to order the closure of schools for classes up to 8th. However, despite these orders, private schools in the area allegedly continued to call students to attend classes. This has fueled anger among the villagers, who accuse private school management of neglecting government directives.
Protests and Public Outcry
Following the accident, grieving family members and locals gathered at the site, expressing their outrage. Villagers blocked the Ramgarh-Bokaro road, leading to a traffic jam with vehicles stranded in long queues on both sides. Ramgarh MLA Mamta Devi visited the site and interacted with the victims’ families, promising strict action against those responsible.
Demands for Accountability
Residents demanded that the government take action against private schools that disregarded closure orders. “Such negligence costs innocent lives. The school owners must be held accountable,” said one of the villagers.
Current Situation
Local authorities and police have been deployed to manage the situation and clear the roadblock. An investigation into the accident is underway to determine responsibility, including whether the truck driver or school management contributed to the tragedy.
This accident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of flouting safety measures and ignoring government orders, with calls for stricter enforcement to prevent such incidents in the future.
News – Sanjana Kumari.
