55 kids injured as high tension wire falls on school
Balrampur, July 16: Fifty five school children suffered burn injuries, four of them seriously, when a high tension wire fell on a school in Uttar Pradesh''s Balrampur district.
The incident occurred on Monday, when an 11,000 KV high tension wire fell on the Vishnupur government primary school premises in Utraula.
The injured were rushed to a private hospital and some to the district hospital in Balrampur.
There were around 100 children in the school when the 11,000 KV high tension wire snapped and fell on roof of the school building due to which current ran through the entire building causing the injuries.
Further casualties were averted as the power was immediately cut off from the high tension wire.
As soon as the news of the accident spread in the area, angry parents of the students rushed to the school accusing the administration of criminal neglect.
Balrampur District Magistrate Krishna Karunesh immediately terminated the services of one contractual lineman, suspended a skill coolie and has proposed a departmental enquiry against the concerned junior engineer.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the Balrampur district magistrate to ensure the best possible treatment for the school children.
He has also asked the Project Director of the Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam to find out the cause for the accident and submit his report within 24 hours so that action can be taken against the guilty.
Adityanth has also instructed the Principal Secretary Power and Managing Director of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation to launch a state-wide campaign to raise awareness about the security of high tension wires and ensure their proper maintenance so that such incidents were not repeated.
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Human-wildlife conflict: Karnataka minister calls for sterilisation of select species
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday said that rising human-wildlife conflict has created a need to consider sterilising specific species, and that the issue should be publicly debated.
He clarified that no decision has been made so far and that discussions will be held with officials and stakeholders.
"There is an increase in the number of select wildlife. In my opinion, putting some curbs on their numbers is necessary due to increased conflicts, loss of lives, and urbanisation. So there is a proposal to conduct sterilisation surgery or vaccination on select wildlife," Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment said.
Speaking to reporters, he added that no list has been prepared yet and that he plans to hold discussions on the matter with senior officials.
Noting that a related issue is pending before the Supreme Court, the minister said there are plans to submit a proposal after due deliberation.
"We intend to protect wildlife while ensuring that human lives are not lost. No decision has been made yet; it is still under consideration. In areas with a high number of wildlife, we are thinking about controlling it for a year or two. Other states are considering similar measures. There is a need for public debate on this," he added.
Khandre also said the government is seriously considering the voluntary relocation of forest dwellers who wish to move out of the forest. He has asked officials to prepare a list of those willing to relocate.
"Once the list is ready, I will discuss the required funding with the chief minister (Siddaramaiah), who also serves as Finance Minister, and the government will make a decision. Relocating forest dwellers will expand wildlife habitats and integrate those living without basic facilities into mainstream society," he said.
Expressing grief over the death of a coffee grower in Kodagu district due to a wild elephant attack on Wednesday, the minister said the government and the department are making every effort to prevent human-elephant conflict and assured that the government stands with the bereaved family in this difficult time.
"The government had planned to build a sanctuary to address the problem of elephants. There are some difficulties in obtaining permission from the central government. Once this is resolved, action will be taken to establish the sanctuary," he added.
