A devastating incident unfolded at the Government Senior Secondary School in Baddowal, Ludhiana, as the roof of a building collapsed on Wednesday, leaving one teacher dead and three critically injured. Taking a grave stance on the situation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ordered a comprehensive magisterial inquiry into the incident.
The Chief Minister has also ordered registration of an FIR against the contractor that was carrying out renovation work in the school premises.
In a tragic turn of events, the collapse of the school's roof led to the untimely demise of Ravinder Kaur, a dedicated school teacher aged 45. The incident has left the entire community in shock and mourning. Furthermore, three teachers, Narinderjeet Kaur, Sukhjeet Kaur, and Indu Rani, have sustained critical injuries. While undergoing treatment at DMCH Ludhiana and Ludhiana Mediways Hospital, the condition of these teachers is reportedly stable, offering a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
Panic gripped the school before teams of the Indo Tibetan Police Force (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were called in to rescue the four teachers after the incident occurred at 12.45 pm. The teachers were pulled out from the rubble and rushed to hospital, where one of them, Ravinder Kaur, was declared dead.
The school building, which was constructed in 1960, was in a dilapidated condition yet construction was underway on the first floor when its lintel collapsed. With the impact, the roof of the staff room on the ground floor also came crashing down on the four teachers.
Ravinder Kaur, who taught English, was transferred to Ludhiana from Noorpur Bet only three months ago.
Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu said that the school building was unsafe and demanded a high-level probe.
After meeting the injured teachers, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik said that an FIR was being registered against the contractor by Ludhiana Rural Police. She said that the Chief Minister had taken serious cognizance of the mishap and ordered strict action against the guilty.
Malik also said that a safety assessment of the school building had been ordered and the building had also been sealed. She also appealed to the people residing near school not to go near the school building till completion of assessment.
The Deputy Commissioner said that as soon as information regarding mishap was received, several teams of administration were sent to the site and Indo Tibetan Police Force (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel were called in to rescue the four teachers trapped under debris. She said that the teachers were pulled out by the teams and immediately rushed to hospital, where one of them, Ravinder Kaur (45) was declared dead.
Malik also said that all treatment expenditures of the teachers would be borne by the Punjab Government.
Education Minister Condoles Death of the Teacher
Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Wednesday expressed grief over death of SS Teacher Ravinder Kaur posted at Government Senior Secondary School Badowal (District Ludhiana).
In his condolence message, the School Education Minister said that with the death of Ravinder Kaur, her family has suffered irreparable loss, as well as the Education Department has also suffered the loss of her services regarding brighten the future of the children.
Education Minister prayed before the Almighty to grant eternal peace to Ravinder Kaur and give courage to the family to bear this loss.
Punjab’s All Schools Closed Till Aug 26 In View Of Heavy Rains
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Wednesday announced holidays in all government, affiliated, private or recognized schools in the State due to heavy downpour up till August 26.
Complying to the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, holidays have been declared in all the government, private or recognized schools due to heavy rainfall in various parts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
