Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Jul 12: Two girl students died, and 13 more suffered injuries of various degrees, after the wall of the classroom where they were studying came crashing down. This unfortunate incident occurred at the government girls higher primary school, Yamakanamaradi village in Hukkeri taluk in the district on Monday July 11.

Shwetha (10), daughter of Satyappa Koli and Kasturi Koli couple from the village, and Lagamavva (10), daughter of Durgavva and Basappa Kattimani, died in the accident. They were fifth standard students. The injured students were taken to the local Rahiv Gandhi hospital.

The school in question, functioning at Chettegalli, Yamakanamaradi, has only fourth and fifth standards. 23 students had attended class on Monday, when at around 11.30 am, the wall, which had already become damp due to rainwater, came crashing down on fifth standard students. Teachers and students ran helter-skelter to save themselves. People living in the neighbourhood rushed to the rescue of the hapless students, but by then two had lost their lives.

Thereafter, parents of the children ran to the school and started wailing loudly at the sudden catastrophe that had befallen on them. Deputy commissioner of the district, N Jayaram, said that school headmaster, N B Bheemgol, has been suspended with immediate effect. Speaking to media persons after visiting and inspecting the spot, he said that the school had been advised to be shifted long back, considering that the building was unsafe. He said official apathy was obvious, and action would be taken after holding investigation into all aspects. He also added that the government will pay compensation of four lac rupees each to families of deceased students, and that medical expenses of injured students will be met by the government.