Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady

Beltangady, Feb 12: An incident has been reported from Balanje village in Beltangady taluk where members of the public expressed outrage after schoolchildren were allegedly taken in open pickup and tipper goods vehicles for a honey farming study visit, disregarding road safety norms and legal provisions.

It is learnt that on February 10 morning, under the leadership of the in-charge headmaster of the Government Upgraded Higher Primary School, Balanje, which had recently celebrated its centenary in a grand manner, students were taken in a pickup and tipper vehicle to Anil Farm near Nalkoor in the name of a honey farming study tour and later brought back to the school.

As the incident came to light, agitated parents questioned why schoolchildren were transported in goods vehicles such as a pickup and tipper when even transporting labourers in such vehicles is not permitted under the Motor Vehicles Act. They reportedly demanded to know who would be held responsible if any untoward incident had occurred during the trip.

After videos of schoolchildren being transported in the pickup and tipper went viral on social media, members of the public have urged the police department to initiate strict legal action against the headmaster and the drivers of the two vehicles, it is learnt.