Bhubaneswar: Children of a Saraswati Sisu Mandir at Khandagiri had a narrow escape Tuesday when the auto-rickshaw carrying them was hit by another auto allegedly driven by a drunken man near Bharatpur square here. The auto-rickshaw carrying the kids turned upside down. Irate mob set the errant auto rickshaw on fire.
The driver of the auto that caused the accident had taken alcohol when the mishap happened, eye witnesses said. He also performed stunts before the wine shop located around 500 meters from the accident spot, claimed locals. The auto rickshaw carrying the kids was going towards Naka gate when the speeding auto hit him while trying to overtake the former on the wrong side.
The driver of the auto ferrying the kids lost balance and turned over. However, the kids had a miraculous escaped. None was unhurt. A police van that happened to be near the site reached the spot and saved the students.
Later, parents of the students reached there and took the kids to the hospital. Meanwhile, the auto drivers ran away from the spot. Police are yet to register a case in this matter as none has lodged a complaint. Two persons detained on suspicion were later released by police.
The mishap has brought to focus the issue of security of school kids traveling in smaller vehicles. The auto rickshaws regularly flout the norms of safe transportation a policy for which had been
enacted in 2016.
