Rairangpur: Sixteen persons, including 15 students and a matron of an Ashram School, were injured after an overloaded auto-rickshaw overturned in Mayurbhanj district on Saturday evening, raising questions over the alleged violation of passenger safety norms.
The accident took place near Handiabhati close to Hatibari forest under the jurisdiction of Rairangpur Rural Police Station.
According to reports, around 15 students of Judia Nodal Upper Primary School Ashram School in Bijatola block had fallen ill and were taken to the Rairangpur Sub-divisional Hospital in an auto-rickshaw for treatment. While returning after receiving medical care, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to overturn.
Local residents rushed to the spot and rescued the injured students and the Ashram School matron, identified as Sanjubala Giri. All the injured were shifted to the Rairangpur Sub-divisional Hospital in an SUV for treatment. Their condition was stated to be stable, according to initial reports.
Several local volunteers, including School Management Committee (SMC) president Prashant Ray, former MLA Laxman Majhi, and school teachers and staff reached the hospital to assist in the treatment of the injured.
The incident has triggered criticism over the alleged overloading of the auto-rickshaw. According to reports, 16 persons were travelling in the three-wheeler, far exceeding its permitted passenger capacity.
Some parents alleged that such overloading was a common practice. They demanded an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the incident and sought action against those responsible for permitting the students to travel in an overloaded vehicle.
