**Bhadrak**: Eyes glistening with tears, gloom on the faces, and nostalgia in hearts was the melancholic situation in Bhadrak’s Ranitel High School today morning after yesterday afternoon’s unfortunate incident in which five students of the school were brutally mowed down by a truck.
The rainy weather reflected the school’s somber mood as it drizzled lightly, while the teachers and students shed tears in the classroom over the loss of their close ones. Holding on to her saree’s pallu, the class teacher tried to hide her tears as she had to support her students during the hard time. The next time she calls out Satyabrata Barik, Kalpana Jena, Sweta Sahu, Priyambada Mohanty, and Sukanta Sahu during attendance, there would be no one to shout back ‘Present Ma’am’.
The fellow classmates of the victims bawled their eyes out reminiscing the fond memories with their dear friends. The prospect of no more being able to see their friends ever again, scared the children. They are now left behind with only memories of sharing tiffin and cracking jokes, which they will hold on to till eternity.
Silence was observed in the school premises by the teachers and students as a mark of respect for the deceased. Before moving on to day-to-day affairs, the school staff and children prayed for peace bestowed upon the departed souls.
Notably on Thursday afternoon, a speeding 10-wheeler lorry ran over five school children while they were crossing the National Highway 16 on their way back home. Nine other students sustained critical injuries and some of them are currently undergoing treatment in Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital.
The incident triggered tension in the area as angry locals torched the truck which killed the children. NH-16 was blocked and the situation remained tense for several hours.
Expressing deep grief, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has already announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to the family of five children who died in the accident.
Meanwhile, the school administration and staff pray for the recovery of the injured students and anxiously await their safe and sound return. Till then, the pall of gloom will keep on descending over the school’s tranquil atmosphere.
**Also Read:** [Truck Mows Down Several School Children In Bhadrak](https://www.ommcomnews.com/public/truck-mows-down-several-school-children-in-bhadrak)
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