Chandigarh: Student killed, 18 injured after tree falls on them inside school complex
Chandigarh, Jul 8: A student was killed and 18 others sustained injuries after a tree fell on them inside a school complex here on Friday, officials said.
The injured, including a school staff attendant, were taken to a hospital, they said.
"The incident was reported at 11:10 am. It was an old peepal tree, a kind of heritage tree. Nineteen students and a staff attendant were injured in the incident. We have confirmation of a child's death in the incident," the official said.
The students of the girls' school in Sector 9 were in the age group of 13-17 years and had gathered near the tree during break when the incident occurred, officials said.
A magisterial probe has been ordered into the incident, they said.
Reacting to the incident, Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher tweeted, "A very heart-wrenching incident of a tree falling at Carmel Convent School Chandigarh. My condolences to the bereaved families and I pray for a speedy recovery of the injured".
According to eyewitnesses, there was panic in the school complex after the incident.
Police and fire department officials reached the spot and the injured were taken to a government multi-speciality hospital in Sector 16, and PGIMER while some were taken to Fortis hospital in Mohali, officials said.
Rajinder, whose daughter studies at the school, told reporters that parents received a phone call from the school informing them about the incident.
He said his daughter is safe.
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Ajay Rai’s ‘nimbu-mirchi’ jibe over Rafale use in Pahalgam aftermath sparks BJP-Congress row
New Delhi: A political row erupted after Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai used a toy plane hung with lemon and chillies to question the government’s response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Rai made a symbolic reference, aimed at the Centre’s inaction despite possessing Rafale fighter jets, to the popular superstition of warding off evil with a “nimbu-mirchi” charm.
With the toy plane in his hands, Rai questioned, “When will they take action against terrorists and those who support them? Rafale jets are parked in hangars, protected with lemons and chillies. Our youth went to Pahalgam full of joy, but their bodies came back in coffins.”
The BJP responded, accusing the Congress of echoing Pakistan’s narrative. BJP’s spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said, “Ajay Rai has not just held a toy plane, he has insulted the armed forces and played into Pakistan’s hands.” He claimed that while the Congress publicly pledged support to the Centre following the attack, its other leaders have acted to demoralize Indian forces.
Poonawala said, “This isn’t an isolated slip-up, it’s a pattern,” citing previous controversial comments by Congress leaders Siddaramaiah, Charanjit Singh Channi, Vijay Wadettiwar and RB Timmapur.
The video was picked up by Pakistan’s media, adding fuel to the BJP’s criticism that the Congress was acting like a “PR agent” for India’s adversaries. Despite the backlash, Rai stood by his statement, saying, “I am only asking when Rafale will be used. The country is waiting for action against the Pahalgam killers.” He also added that while the Congress supports the government in fighting terrorism, people have a right to question its strategy.
The Congress leadership has cautioned its members against making off-the-cuff remarks after getting caught off guard by repeated flare-ups. The Communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh clarified on X that only views expressed by Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and authorized AICC office-bearers represent the official party line.
